-NRLF 


IP 


ms 


BIOLOGY 
LIBRARY 


FRONTISPIECE. 


Upper  fig.,  CHESTNUT-SIDED  WARBLER;  lower,  BLACK 

THROATED  GREEN 


DIRECTORY  TO  THE 

BIRDS  OF    EASTERN 

NORTH    AMERICA 

Illustrated  with  Many 
Wood  Cuts  and  Twenty 
Plates  Drawn  and  En- 
graved by  the  Author 
By  Charles  J.  Maynard 


West  Newton  Mass. 
C.  J.  Maynard  19O7 


COPYRIGHT 
Dec.  26,  1905, 
April  12,  1906, 
Oct.  2,  1906, 
Dec.  18,  1906, 
Feb.  16,  1907, 
April  22,  1907, 
Oct.  11,  1907, 
By  C.  J.  Maynard. 


AN    INVITATION. 

0  leave  the  restless  city 

And  come  to  the  sylvan  dell 

Where  the  wood  thrush  gives  his  anthem 
And  the  blue  jay  tolls  his  bell. 

Where,  deep  in  the  tangled  thicket, 

The  veery  sings  a  lay 
That  trembles  with  whispered  lomgings 

Then  slowly  dies  away. 

Or  go  where  the  tawny  hermit 
With  motif  high  and  strong 

Beareth  the  spirit  upward 

On  the  soaring  wings  of  song. 

From  wooded  hill  and  valley  fair, 
From  plain  and  sea-girt  isle, 

A  thousand  songs  rise  up  to  cheer, 
And  the  weary  heart  beguile. 

Then  leave  the  restless  city 

And  come  to  some  forest  haunt 

Where  Nature's  breath  fills  all  the  air 
And  sweetly  wild  birds  chant. 


382258 


This  manual  is  intended  to  aid  students  in  identifying- 
birds  in  the  field;  hence  external  characters  are  chiefly  usedr 
and,  as  far  as  possible,  those  only  which  are  conspicuous 
enough  to  be  seen  by  the  aid  of  a  bird  glass  at  a  reasonable 
distance ;  while  the  author  has  endeavored  to  avoid  using^ 
any  characters  not  absolutely  necessary  for  identification. 

Characteristic  habits  and  the  manner  of  flight  are  men- 
tioned; the  song,  and  other  notes  and  cries  are  also  given. 

When  birds  belonging  to  certain  groups  have  similar  hab- 
its these  are  given  under  group  headings ;  for  an  example,, 
see  page  5,  under  Grebes. 

Groups  are  indicated  by  letters  in  varying  type,  accord- 
ing to  the  value  of  each  group,  followed  by  the  common  and 
technical  name  of  each.  Following  is  a  key  to  the  lettering; 
-A.  9  order;  A,  family ;  a,  genus.  Species  are  numbered,  be- 
ginning with  1  under  each  genus.  Sub-species  are  indicated 
by  the  same  number  as  that  of  the  nearest  allied  species  fol- 
lowed by  an  asterisk  (*). 

The  beginner  in  bird  study  should  first  consult  the  key 
to  the  orders  and  families,  to  be  found  at  the  end  of  the  book. 
Having  become  satisfied  that  a  bird  in  question  belongs  to  a 
certain  order  and  family,  the  student  should  carefully  read 
the  characters  of  those  groups  given  in  the  body  of  the  book  ; 
then  study  the  generic  characters,  which  on  account  of  their 
condensed  contents  are  a  key  in  themselves.  The  genus 
once  found,  the  species  can  easily  be  determined. 

The  following  is  an  example  of  the  method  of  using  the 
book :  A  bird  is  seen  upon  a  pond  or  river.  It  rides  lightly 
on  the  water,  has  a  short  body,  and  carries  the  head  well 
back.  The  bill  is  short  and  thick.  It  has  no  visible  tail.  It 
is  dark  in  color  on  all  of  the  parts  that  can  be  seen  above 


water,  and  thus  there  is  no  white  wing  patch.  By  watching 
the  bird  a  little  while  it  will  be  seen  to  dive  often.  It  also 
sinks  slowly  beneath  the  water,  sometimes  keeping  the  head 
and  neck  only  above  the  surface. 

Keeping  this  last  mentioned  habit  in  mind  when  consult- 
ing the  key,  it  will  be  seen  that  there  are  two  groups  that 
possess  the  power  of  sinking  slowly  beneath  the  water;  the 
Grebes  and  Anhingas.  The  latter  named  are  confined  to  the 
southern  part  of  the  United  States  and  southward,  and  have 
long  bodies  and  tails.  Hence  the  Grebes,  with  their  short, 
tailless  bodies,  remain,  regardless  of  the  location  in  which 
the  bird  in  question  is  observed;  and  upon  reading  the  char~ 
acters  of  the  order,  given  on  page  11,  it  becomes  evident  that 
our  bird  belongs  to  this  group.  Under  family  characters, 
which  should  now  be  consulted,  it  will  be  found  that  the 
bird  is  not  a  Slender-billed  Grebe,  as  all  of  these  not  only 
have  slender  bills  but  also  a  white  wing  patch,  and  other 
characters  given  do  not  agree  with  our  observations.  Hence 
we  find  that  our  bird  must  belong  to  the  Thick-billed  Grebes, 
and  consequently,  there  being  but  a  single  species,  must  be 
a  Pied-billed  Grebe.  By  reading  the  description  of  this  spe- 
cies it  will  be  found  to  agree  with  the  facts  observed. 

We  have  ascertained  that  the  Pied-billed  Grebe  belongs 
to  -A. ,  the  order  of  Grebes;  B,  the  family  of  Thick-billed 
Grebes ;  a,  the  genus  of  Black-throated  Grebes ;  it  is  species 
No.  1  in  this  genus.  This  species  is  always  designated  in 
this  book  as,  A.9  J3,  a,  1 ;  a  method  which  link*  the  species 
with  its  order,  family,  and  genus,  and  no  other  species  has 
exactly  this  same  combination  of  letters  arid  number,  for  the 
letter  of  the  order  is  never  repeated.  For  examples  of  this 
method  as  applied  to  the  Pied-billed  Grebe,  see  letters  and 
figures  under  figs.  1,  2,  and  6.  Additional  fractional  figures, 
as  1-15  under  fig.  1,  indicate  the  comparative  size  of  the  fig- 
ure to  that  of  the  life-sized  bird,  thus  it  will  be  seen  that  the 
cut  of  the  Pied-billed  Grebe  is  only  one  fifteenth  the  size  of 
life.  Figures  that  do  not  have  the  fraction  following  the  spe- 
cific number  are  life-sized;  examples,  figs.  4,  5,  and  6. 


INTRODUCTION.  O 

I  wifl  now  add  a  few  words  of  advice  to  beginners  in  biid 
study  such  as  I  have  been  accustomed  to  give  to  pupils  for 
many  years.  The  first  and  most  important  thing  to  observe 
about  a  bird,  aside  from  its  size,  is  its  form,  including  the 
comparative  size  of  all  the  parts.  If  the  bird  is  singin-g  or 
uttering  any  other  sounds,  try  and  fix  all  these  sounds  in  the 
mind.  Then  note  its  color,  including  the  distribution  of  spots 
and  position  of  all  markings.  Note  all  habits  and  where  the 
bird  is,  whether  in  a  tree,  bush,  thicket,  or  on  the  ground. 
If  it  starts,  observe  its  flight.  All  observations  should  be  re- 
corded as  soon  as  completed,  and  checked,  if  possible,  by  a 
second  observation.  In  identifying  a  species  always  keep  in 
mind  the  season  of  the  year  in  which  it  should  normally  oc- 
cur where  seen,  and  the  range  of  the  species. 

While  it  is  a  fact  that  wonders  are  constantly  occurring 
in  the  bird  world  (and  herein  lies  much  of  the  charm  of  bird 
study),  and  there  is  no  good  reason  why  some  of  the  discov- 
eries which  are  constantly  being  made,  of  species  far  from 
their  usual  habitat,  or  out  of  season,  should  not  fall  to  the  lot 
of  even  beginners,  it  will  be  well  for  all  of  us  to  exercise 
caution  in  our  observations  upon  such  matters.  In  identify- 
ing a  supposed  rare  bird  in  the  field,  it  will  be  well  to  keep  in 
mind  the  fact  that  two  pairs  of  eyes  are  better  than  one,  and 
that  it  is  best  that  one  of  these  pairs  should  belong  to  some- 
one who  has  had  a  rather  wide  experience  in  the  study  of 
birds. 

I  now  offer  this  manual,  so  long  promised,  to  my  many 
pupils,  and  all  others  interested  in  ornithology,  trusting  that 
they  will  find  herein  some  ideas  which  will  prove  useful  to 
them  in  their  studies  of  the  many  beautiful  and  interest 
ing  birds  with  which  we  are  surrounded. 

WEST  NEWTON,  MASS.,  Nov.  1£05. 


DIAGRAM   OF   CHIPPNIG  SPAKKOW. 


DIRECTORY  TO  BIRDS  OF  EASTERN  NORTH  AMERICA. 


EXPLANATION  OF  DIAGRAM  OF  CHIPPING  SPARROW. 

A,  EXTERNAL  PARTS:-     1,  bill;  2,  forehead;  3,  crown; 
4,  occiput;  5,  nape;  6,  hind  neck;  7,  back;  8,  wing;  9,  up- 
per tail  coverts ;  10,  under  tail  coverts;  11,  tibia;  12,  abdo- 
men; 13,  belly;  14,  breast;  15,  throat;  16,  chin;  17,  supercil- 
iary region;  18,  lores;  19,  ear  coverts;  20,  maxillary  region; 
22,  tarsus ;  32,  hind  toe ;  42,  front  toe ;  52,  tail. 

INTERNAL  PARTS:-  A,  tongue;  B,  larynx;  p,  syrinx;  cr 
windpipe;  E,  sterno  trachealis;  F,  bronchial  tube;  G  G,  gul- 
let; H,  crop;  K,  stomach;  j,  proventriculus*,  L,  fold  of  duo- 
denum; M,  pancreas;  o,  vent;  D,  ovaries;  Q,  vertebrae  of 
neck;  R,  vertebrae  of  back;  s,  tail  bones;  T,  heart;  N,  lungs; 
v,  keel;  i  M,  liver. 

B,  WING  OF  CHIPPING  SPARROW:-     1,  lesser  coverts;  2r 
middle  coverts;  3,  greater  coverts;  4,  spurious  wing;  5,  pri- 
maries; 6,  secondaries. 

C,  BILL  OF  CARDINAL  GROSBEAK:-    A,  upper  mandible; 
B,  lower  mandible;  D,  nostril. 


DIRECTORY  TO   BIRDS    OF   E  ASTERN  NORTH   AMERICA.       11 


B,  a, 


1-15. 


IPodieipides. 

Water  birds  with  short  bodies,  medium  long  necks,  and 
short  wings  which  are  concealed  by  the  feathers  of  the  sides 
and  back  when  folded.  Expert  divers,  but  do  not  use  the 
Fig.  1  wings  under  water.  Possess 

the  power  of  sinking  slowly 
beneath  the  surface.  Head, 
rather  large  and  carried  well 
back  over  the  body  as  the  bird 
swims,  fig  1.  Bill,  more  or  less 
pointed,  figs.  4,  5,  6.  Space  in 
front  of  eye,  naked.  Feathers, 
especially  beneath,  not  close- 
ly constructed,  and  fringed  with  hair-like  terminations  ;  these 

peculiar  feathers  retain  the  air  in  their  interspaces  when  the 

bird  dives,  thus  keeping  the  plumage  dry;  when  it  emerges 

the  water  which  clings  to  the  outer  surface  is  thrown  off  by 

the  agitation  of  the  hair-like  fringes,  much  as  in  the  musk- 

rat  and  other  aquatic  mam-  Fig.  2. 

mals,    fig.   2.     Tail,    absent. 

Feet,  with  lobed  toes;  nails, 

flattened,  fig.  3.    Walk,  or  ev-  I 

en  run  for  a  short  distance,  by 

making  a  special  effort,  but 

rise  in  flight  from  the  water 

only.      Flight,   direct,    neck 

and  head,  outstretched;  feet, 

extended  behind  ;  wing-beats  I 

rapid.    Nests,  of  matted  vege-  — 

tation,  placed  in  reedy  ponds, 

never  on  dry  land,  and   are 

quite  often  floating  ;  eggs,  6-8, 

greenish  covered  with  a  white  A»  *>arbule  ;  B,  tip  of  feather,  enlarged. 

incrustation.  Young,  downy,  streaked  and  mottled  with 
whitish  and  dark  brown,  slowly  assuming  the  adult  dress  j 
active  when  hatched,  swimming  with  their  parents.  Food, 
vegetable  matter  (often  fresh  water  algae),  insects,  and  small 


1. 


12  GREBES. 

fishes.  Sexes,  similar  in  color.  To  approach  a  grebe  the  ob- 
server should  endeavor  to  see  the  bird  before  it  perceives 
him.  When  the  bird  dives  for  food,  walk  toward  it,  standing 
perfectly  still  when  it  comes  up ;  by  continuing  to  do  this, 
the  margin  of  the  water  may  be  reached  without  alarming 
the  bird.  Grebes  sink  when  they  perceive  anything  of  which 
they  are  suspicious,  and  dive  when  suddenly  alarmed. 
Fig.  3. 


A,  b,  1,  1-2. 

A.  SLENDER-BILLED  GREBES.  Podicipidae. 
Bill,  slender,  longer  than  twice  its  depth,  figs.  4,  5.  Us- 
ually inhabit  salt  water  in  winter,  but  breed  more  often  in 
fresh.  Provided  with  special  plumes  about  head  and  neck 
during  the  nesting  season,  which  are  reddish  in  color  and 
more  or  less  conspicuous.  White  patch  on  wing,  noticeable 
in  flight. 

Fig.  4. 


A.,  A,  a,  1. 

a.    Long-billed  Grebes.    Colymbus. 

Bill,  three  times  as  long  as  deep,  fig.  4,  Size,  large,  18.00 
20.00.  Breeding  plumes,  short.  Dull  black  above;  silky 
white  beneath. 


DIRECTORY    TO    BIRDS    OF    EASTERN    NORTH    AMERICA.       13 

1.  HOLBOELL'S  GREBE,  C.  HOI,BOEKLII.  Largest  of 
our  grebes ;  bill,  yellowish.  In  summer,  neck  reddish  with 
short  plumes.  Breeds  in  the  Arctic  regions;  found  along 
the  coast  in  autumn  and  winter,  sometimes  on  fresh  waters. 
Oct.  15  to  May  15.  Rather  common. 

b.    Short-billed  Grebes.    Dytes, 

Bill,  less  than  twice  as  long  as  deep,  fig.  5.  Size,  small, 
12.00-14.00.  Also  differs  from  a  in  having  the  breeding 
plumes  long  and  conspicuous. 

1.     HORNED  GREBE,  D.  AURITUS.     Smaller  than  a,  1, 
but  similar  in  color  in  winter.    In  summer,  line  through  eye, 
Fig.  5  broadening  behind  into  long  plumes ; 

j  lower  neck,  and  chest,  reddish ;  oth- 
|  er  elongated  head  plumes,  greenish 
I  black.  Breeds  chiefly  north  of  the 
!  U.  S. ;  migrates  south  in  Oct.  and 
|  Nov. ;  winters  from  southern  X.  E. 
to  Fla. ;  comes  north  in  April ;  com- 

B.    THICK-BILLED  GREBES.    Podilymbidae. 

Bill,  thick,  shorter  than  twice  its  depth,  fig.  6;  no  white 
patch  on  wing ;  no  special  head  plumes.  Occur  mostly  on 
fresh  waters. 

a.    Black-throated  Grebes.    Podilymbus. 

Throat,  with  a  conspicuous  black  patch  in  the  summer. 
Male  larger  than  the  female  and  probably  polygamous. 

1.  PIED-BILLED  GREBE,  P.  PODICEPS.  Male,  15.00; 
female,  12.00.  In  summer,  bill,  bluish  white  with  a  black 
band  crossing  middle,  fig.  6;  dark-  Fig.  6 

brown  above,  lighter  on  sides  of 
head  and  neck,  and  lower  neck  in 
front;  silvery  white  beneath  with 
obscure  spots  of  dusky.  In  winter, 
throat,  white;  bill,  brown  without 
band,  and  there  are  no  spots  on  the 
white  beneath ;  neck,  decidedly  red-  .A_9  B,  a.  1. 


14  LOONS. 

dish  and  this  extends  along  the  breast.  Breeds  in  April  and 
May  from  the  British  Provinces  southward  into  S.  A.,  nest- 
ing in  small  ponds  in  the  more  unsettled  districts;  migrates 
southward  in  Sep.  and  Oct.  to  winter  from  the  Carolinas  south- 
ward ;  comes  north  in  April.  Yery  common.  Note,  heard 
from  March  to  June,  given  by  both  sexes,  a  hollow,  quaver- 
ing cry,  uttered  rapidly  and  with  considerable  volume. 

B.     LOONS.     TJrinatorides. 

Water  birds  with   long,    flattened   bodies,    rather   long 

necks,  and  long  wings  which  are  not  wholly  concealed  by 

the  feathers  of  the  sides  when  folded.     Expert  divers  which 

use  their  wings  to  aid  in  swimming  under  water.     Sit  low  in 

Fig.  7. 


B,  A    a,  1.    1-10. 

the  water  and  carry  the  medium  sized  head  well  forward  of 
the  body  when  swimming,  fig.  7.  Tail,  short.  Feet,  large; 
front  toes,  long  and  fully  webbed ;  hind  toe,  short.  Cannot 
walk  on  land  or  stand  upright  without  making  a  special  ef- 
fort, thus  cannot  rise  from  the  land.  Flight,  direct  and  rap- 
id with  neck  and  feet  outstretched ;  wing-beats,- rapid.  Nests 
placed  011  dry  land  near  water.  Eggs,Jtwo,  dark  brown, 
mottled  with  darker.  Young,  downy  \nd  active  when 
hatched,  swimming  with  parents.  Food,  fishes.  Occur  in 
fresh  and  salt  water.  Usual  note,  a  quavering  cry  like  a 
weird  laugh.  Sexes,  similar. 

A.    LOONS.    Gaviidae. 

Characters  as  above, 


DIRECTORY   TO   BIRDS    OF    EASTERN   NORTH   AMERICA.        15 

a,  Loons.    Gavia. 

Characters  as  on  the  preceding  page,  under  order. 
1.     LOON,  G.  IMBER.     Largest  of  our  Loons,  32.00.     In 
summer,  black  above  and  on  head  and  neck  ;  marked  on  back 
with  transverse  bands  of  square  spots,  two  to  each  feather, 
figs.  7,  8 ;  white  beneath  ;  a  collar,  composed  of  elevated  lines 
Fig.  8.  Fig.  9. 


B,  A,  a,  1.  B,  A,  a,  3. 

of  white,  on  lower  neck,  and  transverse  spot  of  same  on  mid- 
dle neck  beneath.  In  winter  and  young,  duller  above  with- 
out white  markings ;  throat  and  neck  in  front,  white.  Breeds 
on  the  borders  of  large  inland  ponds  and  lakes  from  northern 
U.  S.  northward.  Very  common.  In  winter  occurs  on  salt 
water,  off  the  coast,  on  bays,  sounds,  etc.,  from  Me.  to  the 
Carolinas ;  rare  in  Fla. 

2.  BLACK-THROATED  LOON,  G.  ARCTICUS.     Smaller 
than  1,  29.00 ;  differs  in  color  in  having  the  back  of  head  and 
hind  neck  deep  gray;  the  throat  is  black,  and  there  are  no 
white  streakings  on  neck.     In  winter  differs  from  1  only  in 
having  each  feather  of  back  broadly  margined  with  grayish. 
Breeds  in  the  Arctic  regions;    south  in  winter  to  extreme 
northern  U.  S.,  where  it  is  very  rare. 

3.  RED-THROATED  LOON,    G.  LUMME.     Smallest  of 
our  Loons,  26.00 ;  differs  from  1  in  having  the  head  and  neck 
ashy  at  all  seasons  ;  in  summer  there  is  a  triangular  patch  of 
red  on  throat ;  at  all  seasons  each  feather  of  back  has  two 
oblique,  rounded,  sub-terminal  spots  of  white,  fig.  9.    Breeds 


1O  AUKS,    MUK11ES,    PUFFINS,    ETC. 

from  the  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence  northward,  chiefly  along  the 
coast.  Winters  from  Mass,  southward,  occurring  off  the 
coast,  in  bays,  etc.  Comes  south  in  Sep.  and  Oct.  ;  most 
common  in  N.  E.  in  Nov.  ;  goes  north  in  April.  Very  com- 
mon; less  shy  than  1.  Fig.  10;  flying  under  water. 

C.     ^.TJKS,  MTJRRES, 


Water  birds  with  rather  short  bodies;  tails,  short;  front 
toes  webbed  ;  hind  toe,  absent,  fig.  Fig. 10. 

11.     All  swim  and  dive  well  like 
Loons.     Sit  upright  on  land,  and 
walk  well.  All  occur  on  salt  water. 
Food,  fishes.     Flight,  swift  and  di- 
rect, often  with  a  swaying  motion, 
but  all  turn  readily  in  air ;  wing- 
beats,  very  rapid.  The  outer  cover- 
ing of  portions  of  bill  is  moulted  in 
some  species.     The  young  are  cov- 
ered with  down  when  hatched,  but 
are  comparatively  helpless,   being         B,  A,  a,  3.     1-15. 
fed  by  regurgitation.     All  of  the  species  occur  on  the  open 
ocean  in  winter,  but  often  not  far  from  land,  and  thus  can  be 
sometimes  seen  from  rocky  promontories  or  open  sea  beach 
es.     Sexes,  similar. 
A.  AUKS,  MURRES,  GUILLEMOTS.    Alcidae. 

Kather  large-bodied,  short-necked  birds  which  ride  light- 
ly on  the  water,  and  sit  upright  on  land,  resting  on  the  whole 


Fig.  11. 


O,  A,  a,  1.    1-2 


foot. 

a.    Aftks.    Alca. 
Heavy-bodied,  rather  thick- 
necked  birds  with  the  bill  deep 
butvery  much  compressed,  and 
crossed  by  two  grooves  and  a 
white  band,  fig.  12,  on  the  next 
page. 


DIRECTOIJY   TO    BIRDS    OF    KASTKRX   NOKTH    AMERICA.          17 

1.  RAZOR-BILLED  AUK,  A.  TORDA.  15.00  long:  black 
above ;  white  beneath ;  narrow  white  wing  band ;  brownish  on 
head,  neck,  and  throat,  fig.  12.  In  Fig.  12. 

winter  the  throat  is  white.  Young 
have  a  smaller  bill  without  grooves 
or  bands.  Nests  in  cavities  about 
rocks ;  eggs,  1,  2,  white,  heavily  mot- 
tled with  brown  and  umber.  Breeds 
the  last  week  in  June.  A  trim,  neat, 
bird,  rather  unsocial,  and  quite 
quarrelsome.  Occurs  in  summer 
from  Grand  Menan  northward  ;  mi- 
grates south  late  in  Oct.  ;  winters 
from  Mass,  to  N.  J. ;  goes  north  in 
early  March.  This  species  holds  its 
tail  upright  when  swimming.  Cries, 
loud  and  harsh. 

b.    Murres.    Uria. 

Differ  from  a  in  being  more  slender,  with  a  pointed  bi_l 
which  is  not  much  compressed  nor  at  all  ridged,  figs.  13,  14. 
Colors,  brownish  or  black  above ;  white  beneath :  wing  band, 
Fig.  13. 


O,  A,  a.  1.     1-8. 


C,  A.  b,  1. 

much  as  in  a,  1.     Downy  young,  blackish, 

sprinkled  with  yellowish.     Eggs,  1,   pyri- 

f  orm,  greenish  or  white,  spotted,  dotted,  and  lined  with  black  , 

placed  on  shelves  of  rocky  cliffs.  The  birds  when  on  land  sit  on 


18 


MVRKES,  GUILLEMOTS. 


the  whole  foot;  on  water,  hold  head  upright,  and,  when  seen 
at  a  distance,  somewhat  resemble  floating  bottles,  but  differ 
from  a,  1  in  not  holding  the  tail  upright.  Social,  gentle,  and 
friendly.  All  migrate  southward  in  Nov.  and  northward  in 
Feb.  and  early  March.  Note,  when  annoyed,  a  murmuring 
sound,  like  "murre" ,  often  repeated. 

1.  MURRE,  U.  TROILE.  18.00  long;  brownish-black  above 
and  on  neck  and  throat.     White  to  chin  in  winter.  Bill,  whol- 
ly black.     Breeds  from  the  Magdalen  Islands  northward  in 
late  June.     Winters  as  far  south  as  northern  N.  E.    Common. 

2.  RINGED  MURRE,  U.  RLTOVIA.    Differs  from  1  in  hav- 
ing a  white  ring  around  eye  and  a  line  running  from  it  on  side 
of  head,  plate  1.     Range,  similar  to  that  of  1.     Rather  rare. 

3.  BRUNNICH'S  MURRE,  U.  LOMVIA.     Differs  from  1  in 


Fig.  14 


being  nearly  black 
above,  with  a  short- 
er, thicker  bill,  that 
has  the  basal  por- 
tion of  the  cutting 
edge  of  upper  man- 
dible thickened  and 
yellowish  in  color, 
fig.  14.  It  ranges 
with  1  in  summer; 
in  winter  south  as 
far  asN.  J.  Abund- 
ant. O,  A,  b,  3. 
c.  Guillemots.  Cepphus. 

Similar  in  general  form  and  habits  to  b,  but  smaller:  in 
summer  black  throughout ;  often  with  a  targe,  white  wing 
patch,  very  conspicuous  in  flight ;  feet,  bright  red ;  winter  plu- 
mage, mottled  with  white  and  black.  Egg,  2,  4,  oval,  green- 
ish to  whitish,  mottled  with  black  and  brown. 

1.  BLACK  GUILLEMOT,  C.  GRYLLE.  13.00  long;  white 
patch  on  wing  often  entirely  or  partly  divided  by  a  black 
wedge,  fig.  15  (dark  dress,  summer;  mottled,  winter).  Coast 


DIRECTORY  TO   BIRDS    OF   EASTERN   NORTH    AMERICA.        19 

of  Me.  northward  ;  comes  south  in  early  Oct, ;  winters  to  X.  J. 
Goes  north  in  April;   breeds  in  Fig.  15. 

June.  Note,  when  disturbed,  a 
mournful  whistle  ;  at  other  times 
gives  a  chuckling  cry.  Yery  com- 
mon. 

2.  MANDT'S  GUILLEMOT, 
C.  MANDTII.  Differs  from  1  in 
having  the  white  wing  patch  lar- 
ger and  never  divided  by  a  black 
wedge.  Breeds  from  the  coast  of 
Labrador  northward  in  .June  and 
July  ;  southward  range  in  winter 
not  well  known. 

d.    Little  Auks.  Alle.  O,  A,  c,  1.    1-10. 

Very  small,  8.00;  bill  shorter  than  head,  not  compressed 
(fig.  16). 

1.     DOVEKIE,  A.  ALLE.     Black  on  upper  parts  and  on 
the  head  and  neck  all  around;  wing  bands,  streaks  on  sec- 
ondaries and  beneath,  white ;  in  winter,  white  to  the  chin 
Fig.  16.  with  a  whitish  collar  extending 

around   neck.      A    plump  bird, 
looking  very  small  on  the  water, 
upon  which  it  rides  very  lightly. 
Breeds  in  the  far  north,  migrat 
ing  south  in  winter  to  N.  J.,  ap- 
pearing in  early  Nov. ;  goes  north 
in  April.      Common,    occurring 
singly  or  in   flocks,   sometimes 
O,  A,  d,  1.     1-6.          blown   inland  in  severe   storms 
which  occur  during  the  southward  migration.     The  single, 
pyriform,  greenish-white,  unspotted  egg  is  placed  on   the 
shelves  of  rocky  cliffs. 


20 


PUFFINS. 


e.    Puffins.    Fraterculao 

Thick-bodied,  short-necked  birds  with  a  deep,  much 
compressed  bill  which  gives  them  a  parrot-like  appearance. 
Eyelid,  with  horny  appendages,  fig.  17. 

1.  PUFFIN,  F.  ARCTICA.  13.00  long;  a  broad  collar 
around  neck  ;  upper  parts  and  sides,  brownish-black  ;  sides 
of  head  and  chin,  ashy  ;  white  beneath  ;  bill,  bluish  with  the 
ridges  orange;  feet,  coral  red.  Young,  similar,  but  the  bill 
is  smaller,  without  ridges,  and  dusky;  Fig.  17. 

cheeks,  dusky.  The  single  egg  is  placed 
in  a  burrow  excavated  by  the  bird, 
white,  occasionally  mottled  with  green- 
ish. Very  social,  friendly  birds  when 
breeding.  When  annoyed  utter  a  croak- 
ing cry.  Breed  in  July  from  the  Bay 
of  Fundy  northward;  comes  south  in 
Oct.  to  N.  J. ;  goes  north  in  April.  In 
winter  keeps  well  out  to  sea,  rarely  ap- 
proaching land,  excepting  islands  or 
points  that  project  into  the  ocean. 

1*.     LARGE-BILLED  PUFFIN,  F.     O,  A,  e,  1.     1-6. 
A.  GLACIALIS.     Similar  to  1,  but  a  little  larger  with  the  bill 
proportionately   larger.     Coasts  and  islands   of  the  Arctic 
Ocean,  northern  and  western  Greenland ;  probably  ranging 
southward  in  winter. 

f .    Crested  Puffins.    Lunda. 

Both  sides  of  head  in  breeding  season  with  a  large,  pen- 
dent tuft  of  silky,  straw-colored  feathers ;  general  form  of 
bill  as  in  e,  but  the  under  mandible  is  without  grooves,  and 
there  are  no  horny  appendages  on  eyelid^, 

1.  TUFTED  PUFFIN,  L.  CIRRHATA.  Differs  from  a. 
1  in  being  sooty  gray  beneath  in  all  stages.  Coasts  and  is- 
lands of  the  north  Pacific ;  accidental  in  the  Bay  of  Fundy 
and  Kennebeck  River,  Me. 


DIRECTORY  TO  BIRDS  OF  EASTERN  NORTH  AMERICA. 

g.    Murrelets. 


21 


Synthliboramphus. 

Bill,  short,  somewhat  compressed ;  rather  small,  short- 
necked,  compact  birds,  auk-like  in  general  habit ;  lead-col- 
ored above;  white  beneath. 

1.  ANCIENT  MURRELET,  S.  ANTIQUUS.  10.00  long ;  top 
and  sides  of  head,  throat,  and  fore  neck,  black  ;  sides  of  neck 
and  a  broad  stripe  on  either  side  of  back  of  head,  white ;  up- 
per back,  streaked  with  white ;  in  winter  the  throat  is  white 
and  the  white  streakings  above  are  absent.  Coasts  and  is- 
lands of  the  north  Pacific;  accidental  in  Wisconsin. 

r>.  TUBE-IVOSEI}  SWIMMERS. 
TuTbinares. 

Ocean-inhabiting  birds  of  varying  sizes,  but  always  with 
long,  narrow  wings,  webbed  anterior  toes,  and  nostrils  more 
or  less  protected  by  exter-  Fig.  18. 

nal  tubes  which  open  for- 
ward,  figs.   18,  20,    22,   24. 
All    of   the    species    move 
with  ease  upon  the  wing, 
and  among  them  are  found 
some  of   the  strongest  fly- 
ing birds  known:  all  swim 
well,  but  none  of  our  spe- 
cies dive;  when   annoyed,  I>,  B,  a,  1 
nearly  all  eject  an  oily  fluid  from  the  mouth  which  has  a 
strong  odor.     The  outer  covering  of  bill  consists  of  several 
pieces,  fig.  18.  Egg,  single,  white;  young,  covered  with  down 
when  hatched,  but  helpless  and  fed  by  regurgitation. 

A.  ALBATROSSES.  Diomedeidae. 
Very  large  birds  living  upon  the  open  ocean  remote 
from  continental  land.  Wings,  very  long  and  narrow,  hav- 
ing 30  to  50  flight  feathers ;  nasal  tubes,  widely  separated. 
Nests,  placed  upon  oceanic  islands,  mound-like  structures, 
placed  in  open  situations;  single  egg,  white,  sometimes 
sprinkled  with  reddish  dots.  All  of  the  species  occur  in  the 
Pacific  or  oceans  of  the  southern  hemisphere ;  accidental 
elsewhere. 


22 


PETRELS.       FULMARS. 


a.    Yellow-billed  Albatrosses;    Thalaissogeron. 

Upper  division  of  bill-covering,  narrow  with  a  strip  of  na- 
ked skin  extending  from  nasal  tubes  to  base.  Dark  slaty 
above :  white  beneath. 

1.  YELLOW-NOSED  ALBATROSS.  T.  CULMINATUS. 
36.00  long  ;  rump  and  upper  tail  coverts,  white ;  tail,  grayish  ; 
head,  varying  from  white  tinged  with  slaty  to  grayish  ;  dark 
space  bofore  and  behind  eye  and  a  white  spot  on  lower  eye- 
lid. Indian  and  South  Pacific  Oceans;  accidental  in  the 
Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence. 

B.  PETRELS.  Procellariidae, 
Ocean  birds  of  varying  sizes.  Wings,  shorter  than  in  A, 
the  flight  feathers  being  30  or  less ;  nasal  tubes,  connected, 
figs.  19,  22,  24.  Nests,  placed  in  cavities  of  rocks  or  in  bur- 
rows. Species  of  this  group  occur  011  all  oceans.  Food,  fish- 
es, squid,  and  cuttlefish  ;  are  also  fond  of  fatty  matter  cast 
overboard  from  vessels  and  will  follow  them  to  obtain  it. 

a.  Fulmars.    Fulmarus. 

Birds  of  the  open  ocean ;  excepting  to  breed,  seldom  ap- 
proaching land;  of  rather  large  size  and  gull-like  appear- 
ance,  white  with  a  Fig.  19. 
bluish  mantle;  bill, 
short  and  stout,  as 
deep  as  one  half  its 
length,  fig.  18 ;  wing, 
folding  about  to  tip 
of  tail.     Our  species 
have  a  light  (fig.  19) 
and    dark    phase  of 
plumage.     Common 
on  the  ocean.                                D9  B,  a,  1. 

1.  FULMAR,  F.  GLACIALIS.  18.00  long 
head,  neck,  and  lower  parts,  white;  upper  parts,  bluish- 
gray.  Dark  phase:-  smoky-brown  throughout.  North  At- 
lantic, breeding  on  St.  Kidda  and  other  Scottish  islands  that 
lie  far  out  to  sea :  south  on  the  American  side,  in  winter,  as 
far  as  the  Georges  Banks. 


1-10 
Light  phase:- 


llfe^llfer ^"'ssfe^is 

:*& 


'-^?>* 


o 

CQ 


<N 

EH 


DIRECTORY   TO   BIRDS    OF    EASTERN    NORTH   AMERICA.       23 

1*.     LESSER  FULMAR,  F.  G.  MINOR,     Similar  in  color 
to  1,  but  smaller,  16.00  long.     Range  about  the  same. 

b.    Shearwaters.    Puffinus. 
Birds  of  the  ocean,  but  often  approaching  within  a  few 


Fig.  20. 


miles  of  the  coast ;  of  varying 
size,  but  none  are  very  small; 
bill,  rather  slender  with  na- 
sal tubes  not  1-3  its  length, 
tig.  20  :  folded  wings,  reach- 
ing tip  of  tail,  or  longer; 
ashy-brown  above,  white  be- 
neath ;  or  else  sooty-brown 
throughout;  anterior  toes, 
long;  posterior  toe,  short. 
Graceful,  easy-flying  species  13,  B,  b,  3. 

which  seldom  rise  high  over  the  water,  and  often  fly  in  small 
flocks  close  to  the  surface,  often  side  by  side;  during  bois- 
terous weather  they  (and  other  Petrels)  fly  along  the  hol- 
lows of  the  ever  moving  waves,  and  as  the  seas  pass  under 
them,  cross  their  crests  diagonally.  Thus  by  shearing  the 
water,  the  birds  allow  the  spray,  which  is  driven  from  the 
wave  tops  with  violence  by  the  fierce  ocean  winds,  to  strike 
on  one  side  of  their  tubular  nostrils.  Nest  on  islands,  plac- 
ing the  egg  in  rock  cavities,  or  beneath  loose  slabs  of  stone. 
1.  GREATER  SHEARWATER,  P.  GAVIS.  20.00  long; 


Fig.  21. 


smoky-brown  above,  dark- 
est on  head,  wings  and  tail ; 
longest  upper  tail  coverts, 
white;  lower  parts,  white, 
more  or  less  clouded  with 
dusky  on  sides  and  behind; 
the  line  of  demarkation  be- 
tween white  of  throat  and 
dark  of  head  is  sharply  de- 
fined, fig.  21,  bill,  nearly 
black.  Atlantic  Ocean  ; 
breeds  in  the  southern  hem- 


24  SHEARWATERS. 

isphere:  found  off  our  coast  from  May  until  Dec.  Yery  com- 
mon. 

2.  COKY'S  SHEARWATER,  P.  BOREALIS.    Similar  to  1, 
lighter  above  ;  bill,  yellowish  and  somewhat  larger ;  the  ashy 
markings  on  the  sides  of  the  head  extend  down  lower  on 
the  throat,  and  grade  into  the  white  without  any  sharp  line 
of  demarkation.     Coast  of  Mass.,  R.  I.,  and  L.  I.  from  Aug. 
to  Nov. ;  breeding  and  other  range  unknown.    Common  some 
years. 

3.  AUDUBON'S  SHEARWATER.  P.  AUDUBONI.     12.00 
long;  dark   sooty-brown  above;  white  beneath ;  under  tail 
coverts,  dusky ;  patch  in  front  of  folded  wing,  ashy ;  space 
beneath  eye,  slightly  dusky,  otherwise  line  of  demarkation 
between  the  dark  top  of  head  and  white  of  its  sides  is  sharp- 
ly defined;  bill,  blue-black.     Downy  young,  dusky-brown 
above;  lighter  beneath,  plate  2.     Flight,  swift  and  direct  in 
the  daytime,  more  erratic  at  night  about  the  breeding  places. 
Cries,  when  disturbed,  harsh  and  discordant :  breeding  notes, 
given  at  night,  mellow  and  rather  musical,  uttered  in  a  mi- 
nor key  when  the  bird  is  flying,  ^que-re-a-var\  accented  on 
the  second  and  fourth  syllables,  but  mainly  on  the  second 
with  the  last  prolonged.     Nests,  placed  in  cavities  of  rocks, 
beneath  loose  slabs,  in  caves,  and  sometimes  in  the  shelter 
of  creeping  vines;  eggs,  deposited  from  March  15  to  April 
15.     Warmer  parts  of  the  Atlantic ;  casual  as  far  north  as  X. 
J.  and  L,  I.;  breeds  on  the  Bahamas  and  Bermudas;   com- 
mon ;  rare  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Bahamas  in  winter. 

4.  MANX  SHEARWATER,  P.  PUFFIXUS.     Similar  to  3, 
larger,  14.00,  and  with  the  black  of  head  ext'ending  some- 
what below  eye.  North  Atlantic,  chiefly  0^11  the  eastern  side, 
casual  off  our  coast. 

5.  SOOTY  SHEARWATER.  P.  FULIGINOSA.  16.00  long; 
similar  in  form  and  habits  to  1 ;  sooty-brown  throughout, 
darkest  on  wings  and  tail,  palest  beneath.     Atlantic  Ocean  ; 
breeds  in  the  southern   hemisphere;  occurs   oft'   our  coast 
from  S.  C.  northward  from  July  1  until  Sep. 


DIRECTORY   TO   BIRDS    OF    EASTERN   NORTH   AMERICA.       25 

c.  Diabolic  Petrels.  Aestrelata. 
Oceanic  Petrels,  mainly  inhabiting  the  warmer  waters  of 
the  world,  those  occurring  with  us  being  only  stragglers. 
Size,  moderate,  15.00  or  less;  bill,  short,  nasal  tubes  about 
one-third  its  length ;  wings,  long,  folding  beyond  tail ;  tail, 
wedge-shaped ;  colors,  black,  often  with  conspicuous  white 
markings.  Nests,  placed  in  cavities  of  rocks,  sometimes  on 
mountain  tops  of  islands. 

1.  BLACK-CAPPED  PETREL.     A.  HASITATA,     16.00; 
top  of  head  and  upper  parts,  black ,  scapularies,   and  mar- 
gins of  feathers,  and  back,  paler ;  rump,  basal  half  of  tail, 
sides  of  tail,  sides  of  head  and  neck,  and  lower  parts,  pure 
white.     Occurs  in  the  warmer  parts  of  the  Atlantic ;  strag- 
glers have  been  taken  in  Fla.,  Yir.,  N.  Y.,  Yt.,  and  Ont. 

2.  SCALED  PETREL,    A.   SCALARIS.     Size  of  1 ;  dark 
bluish-ash  above,  feathers  of  back,  scapularies,  and  greater 
wing  coverts,  broadly  bordered  with  ashy-white ;  beneath, 
white,  irregularly  and  rather  finely  banded  on  sides  and  be- 
low with  grayish.  Known  only  from  a  single  specimen  which 
was  obtained  in  a  plowed  field  in  Livingston  Co.,  N.  Y.  in 
April,  1880. 

d.  Wedge-tailed  Petrels.    Bulweria, 

Bill  and  general  form  much  as  in  c,  but  the  tail  is  more 
decidedly  graduated  or  wedge-shaped. 

1,  BULWER'S  PETREL,  B.  BULWERI.  10.00;  sooty- 
brown  throughout,  paler  beneath  and  on  greater  wing-cov- 
erts. Occurs  off  the  coast  of  Europe  and  Africa ;  occasional 
in  Greenland  and  accidental  in  Bermuda. 

e.    Storm  Petrels.    Procellaria. 

Smallest  of  our  Petrals,  about  5.50  long;  bill,  short,  na- 
sal tubes,  about  half  its  length ;  tail,  nearly  square ;  tarsusr 
short,  about  the  length  of  the  toes ;  bill  and  feet,  wholly 
black, 

1.  STORMY  PETREL,  P.  PELAGICA.  Sooty-black 
throughout,  lighter  below ;  upper  tail  coverts  and  patch  of 


26  PETRELS. 

varying  size  on  under  side  of  wing,  white.     North  Atlantic, 
south  to  the  Newfoundland  Banks  and  west  coast  of  Africa. 
Rare  in  summer. 
f.    Forked-tailed  Sooty  Petrels.    Oceanodroma. 

Small  Petrels ;  bill,  about  two-thirds  as  long  as  head, 
nasal  tubes,  about  half  its  length,  Fig.  22. 

fig  22  ;  tips  of  toes  of  outstreached 
feet  not  reaching  tip  of  tail,  fig.  23 ; 
tarsus,  shorter  than  toes ;  wings, 
folding  beyond  the  deeply  forked 
tail;  the  bill  and  feet  are  wholly  X>,  B,  f,  1. 

black. 

1.  LEACH'S  PETREL,  O.  LEUCORHOA.  8,00;  sooty- 
black,  lighter  beneath,  and  with  a  decidedly  palish  brown 
space  on  middle  of  wing ;  spot  on  Fig.  23. 

rump,  white.  North  Atlantic  and 
north  Pacific  Oceans ;  breeds  on  our 
coast  from  Me.  northward  in  June, 
nesting  usually  in  burrows,  dug  by 
the  birds  in  the  surface  of  peaty 
soil  on  islands,  but  occasionally  on 
the  face  of  earthy  or  sandy  cliffs, 
like  Bank  Swallows.  Common  from 
June  until  Oct. 

g.     Long-legged   Petrels. 
Oceanites. 

Small;  bill,  weak,  not  half   as        33,  B,  f,  1.     1-5. 
long  as  head,  fig.  24 ;  tips  of  outstreached  toes  reaching  be- 
yond tail,  fig.  25 ;  tarsus,   much  longer  than  toes ;  wings, 
Fig.  24.  long,  folding  beyond  the  nearly 

square  tail. 

1.     WILSON'S   PETREL,  O. 
OCEANICUS.       7.00;     sooty-black 
throughout,    a  little  lighter  be- 
ll), B,  g,  1.  neath;   wings   and  tail,    wholly 
black ;  webs  of  toes,   mostly  yellow.     North  and  South  At- 


DIRECTORY   TO    BIRDS    OF    EASTERN   NORTH    AMERICA.         27 

lantic  and  southern  oceans ;  breeds  on  Kergulen  Island  in 
February.     Abundant  off  the  eastern  Fig.  25 

coast  of  the  U.   S.  from  June  until 
Sep. 

[XOTE:  on  page  21,  under  I>,  I 
stated  that  none  of  the  order  dive. 
Since  this  was   printed  I  find,    up-  g_ 
on   good   authority,  that  the  Fulmar  g 
occasionally  dives  a  little  way  under  ^ 
water  for  its  food.     The  Shearwaters 
may  also  sometimes  do  this  in  order 
to  catch  the  squid  upon  which  some  f~= 
of  them  feed,  but  I  have  never  seen 
one  dive.  ] 


D  ,  B,  g, 


1-5 
SWIMMERS. 

^teg^itw.  oj3od.es  . 

Water  birds  of  varying  sizes,  but  many  of  them  are  large. 
Fig.  26.  Hind  toe,  connected  with  the   anterior 

toes  by  a  web,  fig.  33  ;  there  is  an  exten- 
sible pouch  beneath  the  bill  (gula  sac)? 
fig.  31  ;  external  nostrils,  very  small,  fig. 
27,  or  wholly  absent,  fig.  31.  A  well  de- 
fined, easily  recognized  group  of  birds, 
having  well  established  and  clearly  sep- 
arated families,  genera  and  species  ;  com- 
paratively few  in  number,  but,  excepting 
the  polar  regions,  generally  distributed 
throughout  the  world.  Young,  naked 
when  hatched,  fig.  26,  but  soon  covered 
E,  B,  a,  1.  1-3.  with  down;  helpless  and  fed  by  regurgita- 
tion.  Middle  toe  nail  pectinated  in  some  genera,  fig.  33,  35. 

A.    TROPIC  BIRDS.    Phaethontidae. 

Ocean  birds'  of  moderate  size,  mainly  white,  but  with 

some  dark  markings  above  ;  bill,  pointed;  gula  sac,  mostly 

feathered,  fig.  27;  tail,  short,  graduated,  but  with  the  cen- 

tral feathers  narrowed  and  greatly  elongated,  fig.  29  ;  toes, 


28 


TOTIPALMATE    BIRDS. 


1-4. 


fully  webbed,  fig.  28  ;  external  nostrils,  present.    Single  egg 

placed  in  a  cavity  on  rocky  cliffs  Fig.  27. 

of    oceanic     islands  ;     purplish- 

brown,    sprinkled    and     spotted 

with  darker  brown.     Flight,  di- 

rect, steady;  wing-beats,   rapid, 

but  the  birds  can  turn  in  air  and  , 

circle  with  ease.     Procure  their 

prey  by  diving  like  Terns.  Cries, 

loud  and  harsh.     Gregarious  when  breeding,  solitary  at  oth- 

er times,     Tropical  and  subtropical.     Sexes,  similar. 

Fig.  28.  a.    Long-tailed  Tropic 

Birds.    Phaethon. 
Characters  as  in  A 
1.     YELLOW-BILLED   TROP- 
IC BIRD,  P.  AMERICANUS.  28.00 
to  30.00;  bill  yellow  or  orange; 
plumage,  especially  beneath,  well 
tinged  with    salmon-pink   which 
A,  a.  1.     1-2        becomes  deeper  on  the  elongated 


tail  feathers;  curved  mark  on 
side  of  head,  patch  on  wing, 
near  back,  and  one  near  termi- 
nal portion  of  primaries,  pur- 
plish-black. Young,  without 
the  greatly  elongated  central 
tail  feathers,  and  are  more  or 
less  banded  above  with  black. 
Breeds  in  the  West  Indies,  Ba- 
hamas, and  Bermudas  in  May ; 
occasional  in  Florida ;  accident- 
al in  western  N.  Y. 

2.  RED-BILLED  TROPIC 
BIRD,  P.  AETHERETJS.  Differs 
from  1  in  being  a  little  larger, 
30.00  to  35.00;  the  bill  is  coral-red 


Fig.  29. 


E,      A,  1.     1-6. 
the  elongated  tail  feath- 


ers,  white.     Coasts  of  tropical  America  ;  breeds  on  islands 


DIRECTORY  TO  BIRDS  OF  EASTERN  NORTH  AMERICA. 


29 


in  the  Gulf  of  California ;  accidental  on  the  Banks  of  New- 
foundland. 

B.    Gannets.    Sulidae. 

Ocean  birds  of  from  moderate  to  large  size ;  white  with 
black  QJ;  brown  primaries ;  Fig.  30. 

bill,  pointed;  space  about 
face,  naked ;  gular  sac  rath- 
er small,  not  wholly  feath- 
ered ;  tail,  graduated,  with 
central  feathers  not  very 
much  elongated;  toes,  ful- 
ly webbed;  external  nos- 
trils, absent,  fig.  30.  Nests, 
placed  on  the  ground,  on 
rocks,  and  on  trees ;  they 
are  bulky  structures,  com- 
posed of  sticks,  sea-weed, 
and  other  coarse  materials. 
Eggs,  one  or  two,  white,  E,  B,  a,  1.  1-10. 

covered  with  a  chalky  incrustation.  Flight,  steady,  direct; 
wing-beats,  rather  rapid ;  turn  in  air  and  circle  with  ease ; 
procure  their  prey  by  diving  directly  downward  from  a  con- 
siderable height,  becoming  completely  submerged ;  the  feet 
are  usually  wholly  concealed  in  flight ;  walk  well  and  perch 
on  trees  with  ease.  Cries,  harsh  and  loud.  Downy  young, 
white.  Sexes,  similar.  Tropical,  subtropical  and  temperate. 

a.    GANNETS.    Sula. 
Characters  as  above. 

1.  GANNET,  S.  BASSANA.  39.00 ;  white,  becoming  buff 
on  neck  and  head ;  primaries,  brownish-black ;  bill,  bluish- 
white  ;  iris,  blue ;  naked  space  about  face,  and  gula  sac,  dark- 
bluish  :  feet,  bluish  with  lines  of  green  along  tarsi  and  toes. 
Young,  dark-brown,  streaked  and  spotted  with  white,  fig.  30, 
upper  bird,  adult ;  lower,  young.  Breeds  on  islands  in  the 
Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence  in  May ;  migrates  north  in  March  and 
April,  south  from  Sep.,  to  Nov. ;  winters  from  N.  E.  to  Fla. 


3D  GANNETS,    PELICAITO. 

2.  BLUE-FACED  GANNET,  S.  CYANOPS.  28.00;  white; 
primaries  and  their  coverts,  tail  (excepting  central  feath- 
ers and  base  which  are  white),  dark-brown;  naked  skin  of 
face,    bluish.     Young,    head,   neck  and  upper  parts,  dark- 
brown  ;  rump,  streaked  with  white ;  lower  parts,  white,  with 
dusky  streaks  on  flanks.     Breeds  from  the  Bahamas  south- 
ward in  May ;  wandering  to  Florida. 

[CORY'S  GANNET,  5.  coryi,  which  breeds  on  the  northern 
Cayman  Islands,  may  be  expected  to  occur  as  an  occasional 
visitor  to  the  coast  of  the  Gulf  States.  Differs  from  2  in  hav- 
ing the  tail  wholly  white.  See  Maynard's  Contributions  to 
Science,  vol.  i,  p.  40.] 

3.  KED-FACED  GANKET,  S.  PISCATOR.     28.00 ;  white ; 
primaries,  hoary-slate ;  naked  space  of  face,  yellowish  or  red. 
Young,  brown  throughout,  lighter  beneath.      Breeds  on  is- 
lands in  intertropical  seas,  wandering  north  to  Florida. 

4.  BOOBY,  S.  SULA.     30.50;  head,   neck,  breast,  and 
upper  parts,  sooty-brown  tinged  with  grayish  on  head  and 
neck;   lower    parts  behind    breast,    white.     Young,   brown 
throughout.     Tropical  and  subtropical  coasts   of  America; 
common  off  the  east  coast  of  Florida ;  rare  as  far  north  as 
Ga. ;  accidental  in  Mass. 

C.    PELICANS.    Pelecanidae. 
Water  birds  of  large  size ;  white  or  brownish ;  bill,  long, 
flattened  and  promi-  Fig.  31. 

nently  hooked ;  gu- 
la  sac,  very  large, 
not  feathered;  tail, 
short,  rounded;  toes  "i'H^ 
and  nostrils  as  in  B, 
fig  31.  Nests. placed  E:>  C,  a,  1.  1-7. 

in  trees  or  on  the  ground;  eggs,  1  or  2,  much  as  in  B.  Young 
in  down,  grayish.  Flight,  slow,  direct,  the  birds,  often  form- 
ing lines  side  by  side  or  V-shaped  flocks,  move  by  alternate 
flapping  and  sailing;  wing-beats,  slow.  Incapable  of  pro- 
ducing any  sound,  save  a  low  grunt.  Highly  gregarious  at 


DIRECTORY   TO   BIRDS   OF   EASTERN    NORTH  AMERICA.      31 

all  times.  Walk  well  and  perch  on  trees  with  ease ;  when 
sitting,  the  head  is  usually  held  back  with  the  bill  down 
and  resting  on  the  breast,  fig.  32.  Sexes,  similar. 

a.    Pelicans.    Pelecanus. 

Characters  as  above. 

1.  WHITE  PELICAN,  P.  ERYTHRORHYNCHOS.     One  of 
our  largest  birds,  68.00;  primaries  and  most  of  the  seconda- 
ries, black  ;  center  of  scapularies,  andtail  feathers,  salmon ; 
spot  on  breast  and  wing  coverts,  pale  straw ;  iris,  white  in 
summer,  brown  in  winter;  bill,  naked  space  about  face  and 
gula  sac,  yellow ;  there  is  a  central  elevation  on  the  bill  in 
summer,  fig.  31,  which  is  moulted  in  autumn.  Winter  adults 
and  young  are  without  the  salmon  and  straw  markings.  Feed 
by  swimming  and  scooping  the  small  fishes,  upon  which  it 
usually  subsists,  into  its  gula  sac  by  a  side  movement  of  the 
head  that  is  often  entirely  submerged ;  the  sac  is  then  con- 
tracted and  the  water  forced  out  on  either  side  of  the  bill; 
the  fish  are  then  swallowed  at  once.     After  feeding,  all  rise 
to  a  considerable  height  and   circle  about  for  an   hour  or 
more.     Kest  on  isolated  sandbars  at  night  and  often  resort  to 
them  by  day.  Breed  in  the  interior  of  N.  A.  from  Utah  north- 
ward ;  common  in  West  Florida  and  along  the  Gulf  coast  in 
winter ;  go  north  in  early  April  to  breed  Fig.  32. 

in  May;  return  south  in  Sep. ;  now  rath- 
er rare  on  the  Atlantic  coast,  but  stray- 
ing as  far  north  as  Mass. 

2.  BROWN  PELICAN,   P.  FUSCTJS. 
50.00 ;  above,  grayish  with  feathers  more 
or  less  margined  with  dark-brown ;  head 
and  stripe  on  neck  adjoining  gula  sac, 
white,  the  former  tinged  with   yellow; 
remainder  of  neck,  dark  chestnut-brown ; 
beneath,  sooty-black,  streaked  with  whit- 
ish;   patch  on  breast,   pale   straw;  iris, 
white;  bill,  whitish  edged  on  lower  man- 
dible and  tipped  on  upper  with  red;  na-  E,  A,  a,  2.  1-20. 


32  TOTIPALMATE   BIRDS. 

ked  space  about  face  and  gula  sac,  greenish ;  feet,  bluish. 
In  winter  the  entire  head  and  neck  are  white.  Young,  gray 
above  and  white  beneath.  Brown  Pelicans  fish  more  often 
by  flying  at  a  slight  elevation  over  the  water,  then  dropping 
into  it,  than  by  swimming.  Fish  are  carried  to  the  young  in 
the  gullet,  not  in  the  gula  sac,  and  regurgitated.  Breed  in 
abundance  on  the  islands  of  southern  Fla.,  Gulf  of  Mexico, 
Caribbean  Sea,  and  West  Indies,  wandering  north  regularly 
to  N.  C.  and  accidentally  to  111. 

D.    CORMORANTS.    Phalacrocoracidae. 
Water  birds  of  from  moderate  to  large   size ;   black   or 
brownish;  bill,  shorter  than  head,  Fig-  33. 

not  flattened,  but  prominently 
hooked;  gula  sac,  small,  fig.  34 ;> 
tail,  long,  rounded,  with  feathers 
stiffened ;  toes  and  nostrils  as  in 
B,  fig.  33;  foot,  1-3;  toe  nail,  life- 
size.  Nests,  placed  on  rocky  cliffs, 
trees,  and  bushes,  composed  of  El,  D.  a,  2. 

sticks,  seaweed,  etc. ;  eggs,  2  to  5,  much  as  in  B.     Flight, 
Fig.  34.  rapid,  direct,  often  in  lines  or  Ys,  but  fre- 

quently breaking  into  irregular  masses ; 
wing-beats,  continuous  and  rather  rapid. 
Often  perch  on  buoys,  beacons,  partly 
submerged  rocks,  and  trees;  when  sit- 
ting upright,  the  neck  is  curved  and  the 
head  is  held  well  up  slightly  in  advance 
of  the  body;  sometimes  the  wings  are 
widely  spread  and  held  in  this  way  for 
;  a  considerable  time,  fig.  34 ;  walk  fairly 
;  well ;  dive  with  ease,  sometimes  from 
i  the  wing,  but  usually  when  swimming, 
remaining  beneath  the  surface  of  the 
water  for  some  time ;  in  alighting,  will 
E,  D,  a,  2.  1  10.  usually  pass  the  object  on  which  they 
intend  to  rest,  then  turn  and  come  back  to  it ;  in  starting 
from  a  perch,  will  almost  always  drop  downward  nearly  to 


DIRECTORY   TO   BIRDS    OF    EASTERN   NORTH   AMERICA.       33 

the  water,  then  rise;  when  suddenly  alarmed  by  a  loud 
Khout  or  gun  shot,  if  flying  low  over  the  water,  will  often 
drop  into  it,  diving  as  soon  as  they  strike  it ;  the  cry,  seldom 
given,  is  a  harsh  croak.  The  young  are  naked  when  hatched 
with  the  skin  bluish  or  black  and  shining  as  if  polished. 
Sexes,  similar. 

a.    Cormorants.    Phalacrocorax. 
Characters,  as  in  family. 

1.  CORMORANT,  P.  CARBO.     38.00 ;  feathers  of  throat, 
encroaching  upon  gula  sac  in  a  point  which  extends  nearly 
to  bill;  tail  feathers,  14;  blue-black,  grayish-brown  on  back 
and  wing  coverts  where  each  feather  is  bordered  with  black  ; 
space  adjoining  gula  sac,  filamentous  feathers  scattered  over 
head,  especially  above  eye,  and  large  patch  on  flanks,  white ; 
iris,  green ;  naked  space  about  head,  greenish-brown ;  gula 
sac,  orange ;  feet,  black.    Young,   brown  above,  lighter  or 
even  whitish  beneath ;   no  white  patches   anywhere  as  in 
adults.     Atlantic  coast  of  N.  A.,  breeding  from  the  Gulf  of 
St.  Lawrence  northward  in  May ;  goes  south  in  Nov. ;  north 
jn  April;  winters  from  Greenland  to  N.  J. ;  not  uncommon, 
especially  north  of  the  U.  S. 

2.  DOUBLE-CRESTED    CORMORANT,    D.  DILOPHUS. 
Tail  feathers,  12;  differs  from  1  in  being  smaller  (32.00);  in 
having  no  white  in  any  stage  of  plumage,  save  the  elongated 
feathers  over  eye  in  adult  breeding  birds,  and  in  not  having 
the  feathers  of  throat  encroaching  on  gular  sac  in  a  point, 
fig.  34 ;  naked  space  about  bill,  orange ;  bill,  black  banded 
with  blue  and  white;  feet,  black.     Young,  light  brown  be- 
neath but  never  whitish.     Breeds  from  the  Bay  of  Fundy, 
the  Great  Lakes,  Minn.,  and  Da.  northward  in  May;  goes 
south  through  the  interior  and  along  the  coast  in  Sep.  and 
Oct ;  winters  from  N.  E.  southward  through  the  Gulf  States ; 
comes  north  in  April ;  common ;  occasionally  found  on  fresh 
water  ponds. 

3.  FLORIDA  CORMORANT,  P.  FLORIDANTJS.     Similar 
to  2  but  smaller  (30. 00)  and  with  a  larger  bill,  there  are  sel- 


34:  ANHINGAS. 

dom  any  white  feathers  over  eye.  South  Atlantic  and  Gulf 
States,  breeding  chiefly  along  the  coast  in  April,  wandering 
up  the  Mississippi  Ya.ley  to  southern  111 ;  common. 

4.  MEXICAN  CORMORANT,  P.  MEXICANUS.  26.00, 
brownish-black;  slaty  on  back  where  the  border  of  each 
feather  is  black ;  line  adjoining  gula  sac,  white ;  naked  space 
about  the  face,  brownish  ;  in  breeding  birds  there  are  short, 
scattering,  filamentous,  white  feathers  011  top  of  head.  Young 
grayish-brown,  lighter  beneath,  sometimes  white  on  throat 
near  gula  sac  and  on  lower  tail  coverts.  Breeds  in  Mexico, 
Texas  and  Cuba,  wandering  along  Fig.  35. 

the   Gulf   and  up  the  Mississippi 
Valley  to  southern  111. ;  common. 

B.    ANHINGAS.   Anhin- 
gidae. 

Rather  large  but  slender  birds 
that  occur  chiefly  on  inland  wa- 
ters ;  sexes,  unlike ;  males,  nearly 
black ;  females,  more  or  less  brown; 
bill,  slender,  small ;  space  in  front 
of  eye,  naked;  gula  sac,  small; 
neck,  long  and  slender  with  a  pe- 
culiar arrangment  of  joints  near 
the  middle  whereby  it  may  be  part- 
ly withdrawn  within  its  skin  which 
is  very  dilatable;  tail,  long,  round- 
ed and  fan-like,  central  feathers, 
corrugated  transversely ;  toes,  ful- 
ly webbed ;  external  nostrils,  ab- 
sent, fig.  35.  Nests  of  sticks  and 
weeds  placed  on  trees  or  bushes ; 
eggs,  2  to  5,  much  as  in  D ;  young, 
covered  with  short,  yellowish 
down.  Flight,  steady  and  diiect; 
wing-beats,  rapid,  but  the  birds 
often  soar  at  a  considerable  height 
much  as  do  the  White  Pelicans. 


E,  E,  a  1.     1-10. 


DIKECTOKY   TO   BIRDS    OF   EASTERN   NORTH   AMERICA.         35 

a.    Anhingas.    Anhinga. 
Characters  as  under  A. 

1.  ANHINGA,  A.  ANHINGA.  35.00 ;  male,  greenish-black 
spotted  on  upper  back  and  streaked  on  scapularies  and  wing 
coverts  ( forming  a  patch  on  greater )  with  gray ;  tail,  tipped 
with  reddish-ash;  in  breeding  birds  there  are  numerous, 
long,  filamentous,  ashy-white  feathers  scattered  over  the 
head  and  neck ;  gula  sac  and  lower  mandible,  orange ;  upper 
mandible  and  space  in  front  of  eye,  dark-brown,  the  latter 
black  lined  with  green  in  breeding  birds ;  iris,  red ;  feet, 
brown.  Young,  with  more  or  less  whitish  on  head  and  neck 
and  the  tail  feathers  are  not  corrugated.  Female  differs  from 
male  in  having  head,  neck  and  upper  breast  ashy-yellow, 
becoming  brownish  above.  Young,  browner  with  few  or  no 
white  markings  above.  Common  along  rivers  and  on  inland 
bodies  of  fresh  water  where  it  sits  upright  on  trees  that  pro- 
ject over  the  water;  when  suddenly  alarmed  drops  directly 
into  the  water  and  instantly  disappears ;  has  the  power  of 
sinking  slowly  under  the  surface,  beneath  which  it  can  swim 
with  ease,  thus  capturing  the  fishes  upon  which  it  feeds ; 
sometimes  plunges  into  the  water  when  in  full  flight,  but 
always  obliquely,  and  can  emerge  in  flight ;  often  swims  with 
the  head  and  neck  or  even  the  head  or  bill  projecting  above 
the  surface.  The  cry,  seldom  given,  is  guttural  and  harsh. 
Resident  in  tropical  and  subtropical  America,  north  in  sum- 
mer to  the  Carolinas,  the  mouth  of  the  Ohio  and  southern 
Kansas.  Breeds  in  Florida  in  March.  Fig.  36. 

F.    FRIGATE  BIRDS.  Fregatidae. 

Ocean  birds  of  large  size  and  power- 
ful flight;  bill,  longer  than  head,  some- 
what flattened  and  strongly  hooked,  fig. 
36,  head,  large  and  somewhat  crested; 
gula  sac,  rather  large;  space  around  eye, 
naked  but  this  does  not  extend  to  bill ; 
neck,  short;  wings,  long;  tail,  deeply 
forked,  outer  feathers,  considerably  elon- 
gated; feet,  very  small,  toes,  about  half  E,  F,  a,  1.  1-20. 


36 


MAN  O'  WAR  BIRD. 


webbed,  fig.  37 ;  external  nostrils,  absent.     Nests  and  eggs, 
much  as  in  D.     Flight,   steady,   majestic,  and  exceedingly 


Fig.  37. 


F,  a,  1. 


graceful ;  wing-beats,  slow. 
Cries,  harsh  and  loud.  Pro- 
cure their  food  mainly  by 
robbing  other  sea  birds  of 
fishes  which  they  have  cap- 
tured. Highly  gregareous  at 
all  times.  Young,  naked  at 
first,  lead-colored,  but  soon 
covered  with  long,  white 
down.  Perch  well  on  trees 
and  rocks  but  do  not  walk 
well.  Sexes,  not  similar. 
Tropical  and  subtropical. 

a.  Frigates.  Fregata. 

Characters  as  in  F. 

1.  MAN  O'  WAR  BIRD, 
F.  AQUILA.  40.00;  male, 
black  with  the  lanceolate 
scapularies  and  interscapula- 
ries  irridescent  with  green 
and  purple.  Female,  duller 
black,  breast  and  sides  whit- 
ish. Young,  head,  neck,  and 
most  of  under  parts,  white  ; 
dull  black  elsewhere.  Trop- 
ical and  subtropical  seas, 
chiefly  north  of  the  equator ; 
breeds  as  far  north  as  the  Ba- 
hamas, Florida  and  Texas; 
accidental  in  Pa.,  Ohio,  Kan., 
and  Nova  Scotia. 


w 

b 


O 

o 

•g 

§ 


DIRECTORY  TO  BIRDS  OF  EASTERN  NORTH  AMERICA.  37 

F.     LO1VO- WINGED    SWIMMERS, 

Lonjyi  pennes . 

Water  birds  of  varying  sizes,  with  long  wings  and  with 
anterior  toes  webbed  to  a  greater  __?!?•  38> 

or  less  extent,  fig.  38 ;  bill,  vari- 
able, but  the  nostrils  are  always 
open,  figs.  39,  50,  plate  3;  gula  sac, 

absent ;  color,  variable,  but  often  F9  B,  d.  3.  1-2 
bluish  or  slaty  above  and  white  beneath ;  some  few  species 
are  black  above,  and  some  brown  or  even  dusky  throughout. 
Young,  covered  with  down  when  hatched,  plate  4,  active, 
but  are  fed  by  their  parents.  Food,  mainly  fishes,  a  few  are 
scavengers,  and  a  few  subsist  partly  upon  insects.  Inhabit 
all  regions  of  the  globe  on  sea  coasts  or  in  the  neighborhood 
of  large  bodies  of  fresh  water.  Sexes,  similar. 

A.    SKUAS  AND  JAEGKERS.    Stercorariidae. 
Gull-like  birds  of  large  or  medium  size,  dark  above  and 
Fig.  39.  also  sometimes  below;   often 

banded  below  ;  bill,  strong- 
ly curved  with  covering  of  up- 
ss.    per  mandible  composed  of  four 
pieces,  one  at  tip,  one  on  eith- 
er side  and  one  at  base,  fig.  39 ; 
A,  b,  2.  wings,  long;  tail,  short,  square 

with  central  feathers  projecting  beyond  the  others,  figs.  41  ? 
43,  44 ;  toes,  fully  webbed.  Ocean  birds  which  breed  on  or 
near  the  coasts  of  the  colder  waters  of  the  world ;  nests,  placed 
on  the  ground;  eggs,  2  or  3,  oval,  brown  or  greenish-brown, 
spotted  and  blotched  with  darker.  Food,  usually  fishes  oft- 
en procured  by  robbing  Gulls  and  Terns.  Social  when  breed- 
ing, solitary  at  other  times. 

a.    Skuas.    Megalestris. 

Size,  large,  about  that  of  Herring  Gull;  form,  robust; 
dusky  brown  throughout,  a  little  lighter  below ;  central  tail 
feathers,  only  slightly  projecting,  fig.  40. 


38 


JAEGER   GULLS. 


1.     SKUA,   M.  SKUA.    22.00;    dull   brown,   streaked  on 
back   and   neck    with   pale  Fig.  40. 

cinnamon  and  beneath  often 
with  pale  cinnamon  and 
brownish ;  a  distinct  white 
spot  on  base  of  primaries. 
Young,  more  distinctly 
streaked  with  lighter  colors 
especially  on  head  and  neck.  IF1,  A,  a,  1.  1-2 

Coasts  and  islands  of  the  north  Atlantic ;  not  very  common  off 
the  coast  of  N.  A.  but  seldom  seen  near  the  land;  casual  as 
far  south  as  N.  C. 

ft.  Hunter  Gulls,  Jaegers.  Stercorarius. 
Size,  medium,  about  equal  to  Laughing  Gull,  generally 
paler  than  a,  often  whitish  below  banded  with  darker;  cen- 
tral tail  feathers,  decidedly  projecting,  figs.  41,  42.  Occur 
along  the  coast,  frequently  near  the  land,  sometimes  flying 
over  it. 

1.  POMARINE  JAEGER,  S.  POMAKINUS.  20.00  to  23.00; 
central  tail  feathers,  broad,  rounded  at  ends,  fig.  41.     LIGHT 

Fig.  41.  PHASE:-  top  of  head  and  upper  parts,  dusky 
slate ;  rest  of  head,  with  nape,  and  lower 
parts,  white;  ear  coverts,  straw-yellow;  un- 
der tail  coverts,  slaty.  DARK  PHASE  ;-  .uni- 
form sooty-slate.  Young,  differ  from  the 
dark  phase  in  being  more  or  less  banded  be- 
low with  buff,  but  in  adults  all  stages  occur 
between  the  light  and  dark  phases,  conse- 
quently many  specimens  are  more  or  less 
,  A,  b,  1.  1-2.  banded  below  with  drisky.  Breeds  in  the 

northern  portion  of  the  northern  hemisphere  on  sea  coasts 

and  inland  waters ;  migrates  southward  in  Aug.  Sep.  and  Oct. ; 

winters  far  south  :  goes  north  in  May ;  not  uncommon  off  the 

coast,  but  not  often  seen  near  the  land. 

2.  PARASITIC  JAEGER,  S.  PABASITICUS.  Differs  from 
1  in  being  smaller  (15.00  to  21-00),  in  having  the  central  tail 


A,  b.  2.    1-10. 


DIRECTORY   TO   BIRDS    OF    EASTERN    NORTH   AMERICA.        39 

feathers,  narrowed  and  pointed  at  tips,  fig.  43 ;  the  sides  of 
head  and  the  nape  are  both  Fig.  42. 

straw-yellow  ;  there  are  also 
light  and  dark  phases  with 
intermediate  plumages  as  in 
1.  Breeds  in  the  northern 
parts  of  the  northern  hemi- 
sphere ;  migrates  south  in 
July,  Aug.  and  Sep. ;  win- 
ters from  N.  J.  to  S.  A.  ; 
goes  north  in  May  and  early 
June ;  very  common,  often 
seen  from  the  land,  fig.  42. 

3.  LONG-TAILED  JAEGER,  P.  LONGICATJDUS.  About 
the  size  of  2,  but  differs  in  having  the  central  tail  feathers 
Fig.  43.  Fig.  44.  much  longer,  fig.  44,  projecting  in 
adults  8.00  to  10.00,  in  being  lighter 
on  the  back,  in  having  the  tarsus  blu- 
ish and  feet  black,  not  both  black  as 
in  1  and  2.  In  the  young,  when  the 
tail  feathers  are  short  and  much  as  in 
2,  the  best  distinguishing  character  is 
the  color  of  the  shafts  of  the  primari- 
es, the  three  outer  of  which  only  are 
white  (not  all  as  in  2 )  and  these  be- 
come dusky  at  the  tips.  Breeds  in  the 
Arctic  Regions,  migrating  southward 
in  Aug.;  northward  in  May;  exact 
winter  range,  unknown. 

B.    GULLS,    Laridae. 

Birds  of  varying  sizes,  in  the  adult  stage  white  beneath 
and  seldom  very  dark  above,  usually  some  shade  of  bluish 
which  is  confined  to  the  back  and  wings  and  the  area  so  col- 
ored is  known  as  the  mantle,  figs.  47,  48,  49 ;  bill,  curved  on 
upper  mandible  and  somewhat  hooked  at  tip,  lower  mandi- 
ble angled  and  the  bill  is  deeper  there  than  at  the  nostrils, 


A,  b,  2  &  3. 


4O  GULLS. 

fig.  45  ;  wings,  usually  folding  at  the  tip  of  tail  or  beyond  it; 
tail,  short,  usually  square,  Fig.  45. 

figs  46  to  49 ;  feet,  rather 
large  and  fitted  for  walk- 
ing ;  toes,  fully  webbed,  fig. 
38.  Birds  of  the  ocean, 
coasts,  and  large  bodies  of 
fresh  water.  Nests,  placed 
on  rocks,  on  the  ground  or  F,  B.  b,  1. 

sometimes  in  trees,  composed  of  sticks,  weeds,  etc. ;  eggs  2 
to  4,  similar  to  A,  but  somewhat  lighter  in  color.  Procure 
their  food  which  consists  chiefly  of  fishes,  other  sea  animals 
and  floating  garbage,  usually  by  swooping  downward  from 
a  moderate  height,  but  sometimes,  especially  when  securing 
living  fish,  they  will  make  an  attempt  at  diving,  but  even 
then  they  invariably  strike  the  water  at  an  acute  angle  and 
never  drop  directly  downward ;  a  few  species  feed  upon  lo- 
custs and  other  insects. 

a.    Ice  Gulls.    G-avia. 

Size,  medium  ;  wholly  white ;  tail  square ;  hind  toe,  well 
developed  but  small. 

1.     IYOKY  GULL,  G.  ALBA.     Pure  white ;  shafts  of  pri- 
Fig.  46.  maries,  yellowish;  feet, 

black,  fig.  46.  Young,  with 
feathers  of  primaries,  wing 
coverts  and  tail  tipped  with 
a  spot  of  dusky.  Breeds  in 
the  Arctic  Regions  where  it 
is  not  uncommon  ;  migrat- 
ing southern  winter  along 
the  coast  of  N.  A.  to  Lab_ 
rador  and  Newfoundland, 
F,  B,  a,  1.  1-10.  casually  to  New  Brunswick 

and  Mass. 


DIRECTORY  TO   BIRDS   OF   EASTERN   NORTH   AMERICA. 

b.    Ocean  Gulls.    Rissa. 

Size,  medium ;  mantle,  bluish ;  white  beneath  in  all  stages 
of  plumage ;  bill,  short,  rather  slender,  fig.  45 ;  tail,  slightly 
emarginate ;  hind  toe,  rudimentary  or  absent.  Habits,  social. 

1.  KITTIWAKE  GULL,  E.  TRIDACTYLA.  17.00;  man- 
tle, bluish-gray ;  five  out-  Fig.  47. 
er  quills  with  the  termi- 
nal portions  black;  oth- 
^rwisft  pure  white;  eye- 
lids, vermilion,  iris, 
brown ;  bill,  yellow ;  feet, 
black,  fig.  47.  In  winter 
suffused  with  grayish  on 
hind  head  and  neck ,  and 
in  front  and  behind  eye.  IT,  A,  b,  1,  1-10. 
Young,  differ  from  winter  adult  in  having  a  line  crossing  in- 
ner portion  of  wing,  a  patch  on  back  of  neck  and  tip  of  tail, 
black,  and  more  black  on  primaries ;  iris,  yellowish-white ; 
bill,  yellow,  vermillion  spot  near  tip  of  lower  mandible;  feet, 
pink.  Downy  young,  white,  with  base  of  wings,  hind  neck, 
back,  rump  and  flanks,  yellowish.  Breeds  from  the  Gulf  of 
St.  Lawrence  northward  in  June;  migrating  southward  in 
Sept. ;  winters,  from  coast  of  N.  E.  south  to  the  Middle  States, 
casually  nearly  to  the  Bahamas ;  goes  north  in  April.  Oc- 
curs off  the  coast  but  approaches  the  land  at  times,  especi- 
ally off  headlands  and  along  open  beaches.  Flight,  graceful, 
easy,  and  rather  tern-like.  Common  cry  in  breeding  season, 
'"''Kittiivke,  wake  wake  ivaker." 

c.    Gulls.    Larus. 

Size,  variable  comprising  the  largest  and  smallest  of  the 
family;  adults,  white  beneath  with  mantles  of  varying  shades ; 
head  and  neck,  white ;  grayish  behind  in  winter.  Young, 
brown,  assuming  the  adult  dress  slowly ;  tail  short  and  square. 
Very  social.  Flight,  strong,  steady,  direct ;  wing-beats,  rath- 
er slow;  cries,  loud,  harsh,  and  considerably  varied. 


1.     GEE  AT  BLACK-BACKED   GULL,   L.    MARINTJS. 


Fig.  48. 


Large,  28.00-31.00; 
mantle,  dark  slate, 
appearing   black   in 
the  distance;  prima- 
ries, with  white  tips 
and  spots  near  ends, 
fig.  48.     Young  rath- 
^  er  pale  brownish, 
£-  darkest   above,    and 


I  vy; :;  streaked  with  buff 
^ '  ^// and  grayish.    Downy 

ttljj^  y°un£>grayish- 

^&^v   white,  mottled  above 
^r ••^••"Ji'.ic^^-  with  dusky;  top  of 
B,  C9  1.     1-10.  head,  spotted  with 

black.  Breeds  from  the  Bay  of  Fundy  northward  in  May  on 
coasts  and  islands  of  the  North  Atlantic ;  migrates  south- 
ward in  Sept. ;  winters  from  Southern  Greenland,  as  far  south 
as  L.  I. ;  goes  north  the  last  of  April ;  occasionally  a  few  will 
remain  as  far  south  as  Cape  Ann,  Mass,  in  summer;  common. 

2.  SIBERIAN  GULL,  L.  AFFINIS.  Smaller  than  1 ;  20.00; 
mantle   a  little   paler  and  the  feet  are   yellow.     Northern 
Asia;  accidental  in  Southern  Greenland. 

3.  GLAUCOUS  GULL,  L.  GLATJCUS.    About  the  size  of 
1 ;  mantle  and  wings,  pale  pearl-gray.    Young,  grayish-white ; 
brownish-gray  below ;  upper  parts,  transversely  mottled  with 
pale  brownish.    Downy  young,  grayish-white,  paler  beneath 
mottled  and  clouded  above  with  dusky  and  grayish.    Breeds 
in  the  Arctic  regions,  where  it  is  common ;  south  in  winter 
regularly  to  the  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence,  and  rarely  to  the  Great 
Lakes  and  L.  I. 

4.  HERRING  GULL,   L.  ARGENTATUS.     24.00;  white; 
mantle,  pearl-gray ;  primaries,  with  white  tips  and  spots  near 
ends,  that  on  outer  feather,  usually  extending  to  the  tip  with- 
out being  interrupted  by  a  black  cross  bar,  fig.  50 ;  bill,  yellow ; 


DIRECTORY   TO    BIRDS    OF    EASTERN   NORTH   AMERICA.         43 

feet,  pinkish ;  iris,  white.  Young,  third  year,  although  show- 
ing some  of  the  colors  of  the  adult,  is  more  or  less  mottled 
Fig.  49. 


B.  C,  4.    1-8. 

with  dusky;  bill,  brownish.     Second  year,  pale  buff  above, 

banded  and  mottled  with  yellowish-brown ;  beneath,  nearly 

Fig.  50.  Fig.  51. 


IF,  B,  c,  4.  F,  B,  c,  5. 

uniform  yellowish-brown;  no  white  on  primary  tips;  bill, 


44  GULLS. 

dark-brown.  First  year,  nearly  uniform  dark  brown,  with 
comparatively  few  streakings  of  buffy  above.  Downy  young, 
grayish-white ;  top  of  head,  spotted  with  black ;  remaining 
upper  parts,  clouded  with  grayish.  Old  World,  south  in  win- 
ter to  the  Azores ;  Cumberland  Sound ;  occasionally  on  the 
eastern  coast  of  the  U.  S. 

5.  AMERICAN  HERRING  GULL,   L.    SMITHSONIANUS. 
Differs  from  4  in  having  the  white  near  the  tip  of  the  outer 
primary,  separated  from  the  white  of  tip  by  a  bar  of  black, 
and  this  is  rarely  less  than  .50  wide,  fig.  51.    Breeds  through- 
out the  whole  of  N.  E.from  about  the  latitude  of  Me.  north- 
ward; constantly  resident  as  far  south  as  Cape  Ann,  Mass., 
on  the  coast ;  winters  in  abundance  from  Me.  to  the  Caroli- 
nas,  rather  common  as  far  as  the  St.  John's  River,  Fla.,  and 
occasional  along  the  coast  to  Cuba ;  migrates  south  in  Sept. ; 
north  in  April,  fig.  49,  young  in  flight. 

6.  KUMLIEN'S  GULL,  L.  KTJMLIENI.    Size  of  4;  differs 
in  being  very  pale,  the  primaries  gray,  but  with  the  white 
marks  at  the  tips  showing  distinctly,  though  the  wings  usu- 
ally appear  quite  white  in  flight.  Young,  mottled  with  brown- 
ish, much  as  in  3.     Breeds  about  Cumberland  Gulf,  migrat- 
ing south  in  winter  regularly  to  the  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence  and 
Mass.,  where  it  is  rare. 

7.  ICELAND  GULL,  L.  LEUCOPTERUS.     Size  of  4,  but 
similar  to  3  in  all  plumages.     Coasts  of  the  North  Atlantic, 
migrating  south  in  winter  to  Newfoundland  and  very  rarely 
as  far  as  Mass. 

8.  RING-BILLED   GULL,    L.    DELAWARENSIS.     Color, 
much  as  in  5 ;   man-  Fig.  52.     - 

tie,    a  little  darker; 

size,    smaller,  19.00; 

bill,  greenish  crossed 

by  a  black  band,  fig. 

52 ;  iris,  pale  yellow. 

Young,  much  lighter  F9  B,  C,  8. 

than  in  5,  even  in  the  first  year  the  head,  neck  and  beneath 

are  nearly  white,  and  the  back  is  lighter;  the  bill  is  whitish 


DIRECTORY  TO  BIRDS  OF  EASTERN  NORTH  AMERICA.  45 

but  the  black  ring  is  not  very  prominent ;  iris,  white.  Breeds 
in  northern  N.  A. ;  migrates  southward  over  the  whole  coun- 
try in  Aug.  and  Sep. ;  winters  from  theCarolinas  to  Cuba  and 
Mexico ;  common,  excepting  in  N.  E.  where  it  is  rather  un- 
common. 

9.  MEW  GULL,  L.  CANUS.  Similar  in  size  and  general 
coloration  to  8,  but  the  black  band  on  the  bill  is  absent  and 
the  gray  wedge  011  the  inner  web  of  the  third  primary  is  not 
tipped  with  white.  Europe  and  Asia;  accidental  in  Lab- 
rador. 

d.    Hooded  G-ulls.    Chroicocephalus. 

Size,  medium  or  small ;  head  in  summer  adults,  sooty- 
black,  whitish  or  grayish  in  winter;  white  beneath,  tinged 
with  rosy  in  summer ;  white  pattern  on  primaries,  variable, 
but  always  different  from  c ;  but  form,  generally  similar ; 
flight,  somewhat  variable ;  the  wing-beats  are  rather  more 
rapid  than  in  c;  social. 

1  LAUGHING  GULL,  C.  ATRICILLA.  16.00;  dark  blu- 
ish-gray, darker  than  any  Fig.  53. 
species  given  in  C,  except- 
ing 1 ;  primaries,  often  nar- 
rowly tipped  with  white  on 
the  three  outer ;  secondari- 
es, more  broadly  tipped 
with  white;  bill,  crimson- 
lake;  iris,  and  feet,  brown, 
fig.  53.  In  winter,  head 
white,  tinged  on  back  of  F9  B,  d,  1.  1-6. 
crown,  around  eyes,  and  in  a  band  back  of  them,  with  bluish- 
gray  like  back,  fig.  54.  Young,  differ  in  having  the  seconda- 
ries gray,  a  grayish  patch  on  back  of  neck,  head  more  decid- 
edly grayish,  a  well  defined  band  back  of  eye  which  widens 
out  and  extends  along  side,  pearly-gray;  this  color  crosses 
the  breast  in  a  more  or  less  well  defined  band  of  varying 
•width  leaving  throat  clearly  white;  bill,  brown;  no  white 
tips  to  primaries ;  tail,  broadly  tipped  with  black.  Downy 


GULLS. 


young,  varying  from  grayish  to  umber,  paler  below ;  head, 
irregularly  striped  and  spotted,  and  other  parts  mottled  with 
dusky.  Cries,  when  breed-  Fig.  54. 

ing,  singular,  sounding  like 
peals  of  prolonged,  derisive 
laughter.  Nests,  placed  on 
the  ground.  Breeds  from 
the  southern  coast  of  Maine  -^ff===^ 
southward  through  the  Ba- 
hamas. Migrates  s  o  u  t  h  -  F,  B,  d,  1.  1-10. 
ward  in  Sep.  and  Oct.,  remaining  on  the  coasts  of  the  Caroli- 
nas  until  Dec ;  winters  in  Mexico,  Central  America,  and  North- 
ern S.  A. ;  arrive  in  the  Bahamas  in  spring,  about  April  15 ; 
in  Mass.  May  1.  Common  as  far  north  as  N.  J.  but  local  and 
rather  uncommon  north  of  this;  a  few  still  breed  at  Muske- 
get  Island,  Mass.,  and  probably  on  a  few  other  islands  off  the 
shore,  and  Metinic  Green  Island,  Me. 

2.  FRANKLIN'S  GULL,  C.  FRANKLINII.     14.00;  a  lit- 
tle smaller  than  1,  somewhat  similar  but  darker  on  mantle; 
primaries,  bluish-gray  and  in  all  stages  of  plumage  broadly 
tipped  with  white;  beneath  deeply  tinted  with  rose-pink; 
other  stages  of  plumage  corresponding  to  1.     Breeds  from 
northern  Iowa,  north  through  Minn,  and  the  interior  of  the 
country;  migrates  southward  in  late  Sept.  through  Oct.,  into 
early  Nov. ;  winters  in  northern  S.  A. ;  goes  north  in  April. 
Common;  known  to  the  farmers  of  the  west  as  the  Prairie 
Dove,  and  feeds  largely  upon  the  land,  often  far  from  water, 
subsisting  principally  upon  insects. 

3.  BONAPARTE'S  GULL,  C.  PHILADELPHIA.   Smallest 
of  our  Gulls,  13.00;  mantle,  pale  bluish  ;  outer  wing  feathers, 
white ;  inner,  pale  bluish ;  outer  portion  of  three  outer  pri- 
maries and  tips  of  all  the  wing  feathers,  black;  bill  black, 
orange    at  base;  feet,  bright  orange,  fig.  55,  upper  figure. 
Winter  adult ;  head,  white  tinged  with  gray  and  with,  a  dark 
spot  on  either  side  of  the  back  part.  Young ;  upper  wing  cov- 
erts, brownish ;  tail,  rather  narrowly  tipped  with  black,  fig. 


DIRECTORY   TO    BIRDS    OF    EASTERN    NORTH   AMERICA.        47 

55,  lower  figure.  Whole  of  the  U.  S.  and  northward,  breed- 
ing in  the  Arctic  regions ;  migrates  southward  in  Aug.,  Sep. 
and  Oct.  along  the  coasts  Fig.  55. 

and  waters  of  the  interi- 
or;  winters,  in  our  sec- 
tion, from  the  Carolinas 
south  to  the  Gulf  of  Mex- 
ico ;  goes  north  in  March, 
April  and  May.     Flight,  ij~ 
easy,  graceful  and  tern- 
like  ;  w  h  e  n   migrating,  J 
often  flies  along  shor 
close  to  land,  usually  in  F9  B,  d,  3.     1-6. 

small  companies,  sometimes  whirling  with  a  sweeping  flight 
much  like  sandpipers ;  in  the  south  in  winter  occurs  scatter- 
ingly,  flying  over  sounds  or  creeks,  or  often  far  up  fresh  wa- 
ter rivers.  The  cry,  seldom  heard  in  migration,  is  harsh  and 
rasping.  Common. 

4.  LITTLE  GULL,  C.  MINUTUS.  Differs  from  2  in  be- 
ing smaller,  (11.00)  and  in  having  little  or  no  black  on  the 
wings ;  in  the  young  the  tail  is  without  a  black  tip.  Europe 
and  parts  of  Asia  and  Africa ;  accidental  in  the  Bermudas 
and  on  Long  Island. 

e.  Rosy  Gulls.    Rhodostethia. 

Size,  small ;  head,  always  white  in  adults ;  entire  plu- 
mage, strongly  tinged  with  rosy ;  tail,  graduated,  fig.  56. 

1.  ROSS'S  GULL,  R.  ROSEA.  White  tinged  with  pink; 
mantle  and  lower  surface  of  wing,  pale  Fig.  56. 

pearl-gray ;  outer  web  of  first  primary  and 
narrow  ring  around  neck,  black.     In  win- 
ter the  black  collar  is  absent,  the  head  is 
tinged  with  pearl-gray  and  there  is  a  black- 
ish spot  in  front  of  eye.     Young;  upper 
parts,  more  or  less  clouded   with  dusky 
and  some  of  the  inner  tail  feathers  are     ~F*9  B,  e,  1.  1-3. 
tipped  with  black.    Arctic  regions,  south,  within  our  limits, 
to  Disco  Bay,  Greenland.     Rare. 


48  TEKXS. 

f.    Fork-tailed  Gulls.    Xema. 

Size,  small ;  tail,   prominently  forked,  fig.  57 ;   mantle, 
much  darker  than  in  e. 

SABINE'S  GULL,  X.  SABINA.  13.50;  head  and  up'per 
neck,  plumbeous,  bordered  below  by  a  black  collar;  mantle, 
dark  bluish-gray; 
primaries,  black,  the 
five  inner  more  or 
less  marked  with 
white ;  plumage, 
otherwise  white ;  bill 
black,  tipped  with 
yellow.  In  winter, 
head  white  with  ear- 
coverts  and  back  of 


head  and  neck, 

plumbeous.    Young,  ,  B         1.     1-6. 

with  the  mantle,  brownish-gray;   tail,  with  a  broad  black 

band  near  end,  and  this  is  narrowly  tipped   with    white. 

Breeds  in  the  Arctic  regions ;  south  in  winter  very  rarely  to 

Mass.,  N.  Y..  and  the  Great  Lakes. 

C.    TERNS,    Sternidae. 

Birds  of  varying  sizes  but  more  slender  and  graceful  in 
form  than  in  B,  with  more  pointed  bills  which  are  never 
hooked;  angle  of  lower  mandible,  not  so  decided  as  in  13, 
plate  4 ;  wings,  very  long  and  pointed,  1st  primary,  longest ; 
secondaries,  short;  feet,  rather  small,  not  well  fitted  for 
walking.  Occur  on  ocean  coasts  and  estuaries  and  on  bod- 
ies of  fresh  water.  Nests,  placed  on  sand,  rocks,  or  occasion- 
ally on  bushes;  eggs,  1  to  5,  similar  tolB.  Procure  their 
prey,  which  usually  consists  of  small  fishes,  by  diving  direct- 
ly downward,  often  becoming  wholly  submerged.  In  flight 
the  bill  is  frequently  pointed  downward ;  in  alighting  the 
wings  are  often  stretched  upward  before  folding,  much  as  is 
done  by  many  waders. 


$ 
I. 

*• 


DIKECTOKY    TO    BIKDS    OF    EASTEKN    NOKTH    AMEKICA.       49 

a.    Gull  Terns.    Gelochelidon. 
Form,  rather  robust;  bill,  thick  and  somewhat  gull-like; 


fig.  58 ;  wholly  black ;  tail, 
slightly  forked,  outer  feath- 
ers, but  little  narrowed  at 
tip.  fig.  59 ;  web  of  toes,  con- 
siderably incised;  top  cf 
head,  black  ;  mantle,  pearly ; 
white,  beneath  ;  size,  moderate. 
1.     GULL- BILLED   TEEN,  G 
Fig.  59. 


Fig 


C,  a,  1. 


C,  a,  1.    1-7. 


NILOTICA.  14.00;  head 
and  kind  neck,  black  ; 
mantle,  pale;  outer 
webs  of  primaries, 
hoary  ;  outer  tail 
feathers  are  nearly 
white;  feet,  black, 
fig.  59.  In  w  i  n  t  e  r  , 
head  white  more  or 
less  tinged  on  nape 
and  ear  coverts  with  dusky.  Young,  more  or  less  tinged  with 
buffy  above,  and  the  top  of  head,  hind  neck,  and  back  are 
often  streaked  with  dusky.  Downy  young,  grayish-buff  above 
marked  with  prominent  dusky  spots,  and  with  a  dusky  stripe 
down  either  side  of  hind  nock  and  upper  back  ;  white  beneath. 
Nearly  cosmopolitan  ;  in  N.  A.  breeds  commonly  from  south- 
ern N.  J.  southward  along  the  Gulf  coasts ;  occasionally  wan- 
dering in  late  summer  and  early  autumn  as  far  north  as 
Mass.  Flight,  rather  heavy  and  slow. 

b,  Giant  Terns.    Thalasseus. 

The  largest  of  the  terns,  with  robust  form  and  long  but 
heavy  bill  which  is  not  very  sharply  pointed;  inner  webs  of 
primaries  slaty  or  gray ;  tail,  much  less  forked  than  in  a,  fig* 
60,  but  color  much  the  same ;  bill,  red. 


50 


21.00;  white;  top  of 
Fig.  60. 


1.  CASPIAN  TEEN,  T.  CASPIA. 
head  and  nape,  black  ;  man- 
tle, pale.  In  winter,  back  of 
head,  streaked  with  whitish. 
Young,  pale  gray  above  marked 
with  a  few  roundish  spots  of 
dusky ;  back  o  f  head,  dusky, 
crown,  necked  with  black ;  and 
each  tail  feather,  marked  with 
a  sub-terminal  dusky  spot ;  bill, 
dull  reddish-orange.  Downy 
young,  pale  grayish  above; 
back  and  rump,  very  finely  mot- 
tled with  darker  gray:  white  JP,  C,  b,  1.  1  1-2. 
beneath,  with  throat  and  fore  neck,  pale  gray.  Nearly  cos- 
mopolitan, breeding  southward  in  N.  A.  to  Ya.,  Texas,  Cal., 
Nevada,  and  Lake  Michigan.  Not  common  along  the  N.  E. 
coast  in  Aug.  and  Sep.  Flight,  rapid  and  tern-like.  Cries, 
harsh  and  rasping. 

c.    Crested  Terns.    Actochelidon. 

Form,  more  slender  than  inb;  bill,  more  slender  and 
pointed ;  tail,  more  deeply  forked  and  the  outer  feathers  are 
narrowed  terminally ;  occipital  feathers,  lengthened,  form- 
ing a  kind  of  crest,  fig.  61,  and  lanceolate  in  form  ;  inner  por- 
tion of  inner  web  of  primaries,  white;  colors  as  in  b. 

1.  ROYAL  TEEN,  A.  MAXIMA.  20.00;  mantle,  pale; 
beneath,  white  tinged  with  rosy ;  cap,  deep  black ;  tail  and 
its  coverts,  ashy-white;  bill,  orange;  feet,  black.  In  winter 
the  occiput  is  streaked  with  white.  Young,  sparingly  spot- 
ted above  with  brownish  ;  tail,  tipped  with  dusky.  Tropical 
America  and  warmer  parts  of  N.  A. ;  breecfl  from  the  coast  of 
Ya.,  southward,  late  in  May  and  in  June,  wandering  rarely 
to  Mass,  and  the  Great  Lakes;  winters  from  the  Caroliiias, 
southward  at  which  season  it  visits  rivers  often  far  from  the 
oceant  Abundant.  Cries,  harsh,  loud  and  often  piercing. 
Flight,  rather  heavy  and  not  very  graceful. 


DIRECTORY   TO   BIRDS    OF    EASTERN   NORTH   AMERICA.         51 

2.  CABOT'S  TERN,  A.  ACUFLAVIDA.  Smaller  than 
1  (14.00)  and  more  slender;  bill,  more  slender,  black,  yellow 
at  tip,  Fig.  61.  Fig.  61. 

Flight,    easy   and 

graceful.     Cries,    -  ^4^||B%  y  x  . 

harsh.  Breeds  com-  ^' 

monly  on  the  Ba-  ^ 
hamas  and  Gulf 
Coasts  in  May  and 
June,  wandering 
northward  in  late 
summer,  casually 
as  far  as  Chatham, 
Mass.  Winters  on 
the  Florida  Keys.  F,  C,  C,  2.  1-7. 

d.    Pale-backed  Terns.    Sterna. 
Size,  rather  small ;  mantle,  pearly-blue  ;black  cap  present 
in  adults  in  sum-  Fig.  62. 

mer  in  all  of  our 
species  excepting 
1 ;  bill,  very  slen- 
der and  sharply 

pointed,  plates  F,C,d,  2. 

3  and  5 ;  tail,  deeply  forked  with  outer  feathers  narrowed 
terminally,  figs.  62,  64;  graceful,  swiftly  flying  birds  popu- 
larly known  as  Sea  Swallows. 

1.  TRUDEAU'S  TER]S,S.  TRTJDEAUI.  About  the  size  of 
2;  form  similar;  head,  white,  dusky  spot  on  either  side  ex- 
tending from  bill  to  ear  coverts  and  enclosing  eye;  under 
tail  coverts,  white ;  outer  primaries,   silvery-white ;  remain- 
der of  plumage,  pearl  gray ;  bill,  black,  yellow  at  base  and 
tip.     In  winter,  entire  lower  parts,  white.     Southern  S.  A. ; 
accidental  in  N.  J.  and  Long  Island  (Audubon). 

2.  COMMON  TERN,  S.  HIRUNDO.     14.00;  mantle,  rath- 
er dark ;  outer  tail  feather  not  extending  beyond  tip  of  the 


Ifa  TEENS. 

folded  wing  and  its  outer  web  is  dusky,  inner,  white ;  outer 
web  of  outer  primary,  Fig.  63. 

black ;  beneath,  tinged 
with  pearly  on  abdomen 
only;  bill,  red,  black  on 
terminal  half,  plate  3 ; 
feet,  rather  light  red.  In 
winter  the  crown  is  more 
or  less  white  but  the  oc- 
ciput is  always  b  1  a  c  k  M 
Young,  Jine  along  fore- 
arm, dusky;  rump  and 
upper  tail  coverts,  gray; 
tail  shorter,  tips  of  feath-  F,  C,  d,  2.  1-10. 

ers,  not  much  narrowed,  fig.  63;  bill,  black,  yellow  at  base 
of  lower  mandible;  pure  white  beneath.  Downy  young; 
buff  above  of  varying  shades  marbled  with  dusky;  white  be- 
neath ;  throat,  more 
^  or  less  dusky.  Cry, 
"Te  arr"  with  the 
last  syllable  pro- 

C,  d,  3.  longed;  alarm  note, 

"AY"  repeated  rapidly  many  times.  Greater  part  of  northern 
hemisphere  and  Africa;  in  N.  A.  breeds  along  the  coast  and 
in  suitable  places  in  the  interior,  but  east  of  the  Plains,  from 
Fla.,  Texas,  and  Arizona  to  the  Arctic  regions  in  May  and 
June;  comes  north  in  early  May;  goes  south  in  Sep.,  but  a 
few  linger  as  far  north  as  Mass,  until  the  middle  of  Oct. ; 
winters  south  of  the  U.  S.  Abundant. 

3.  FOSTER'S  TERN,  S.  FOSTEEI.  Differs  from  2  in  hav- 
ing the  bill  black,  yellow  at  tip  only.;  with  the  outer  web 
of  the  outer  primary,  hoary;  outer  web  of  outer  tail  feather, 
white.  In  winter  the  whole  of  the  black  cap  is  overwashed 
with  whitish  thus  including  the  occiput,  but  there  is  a  patch 
of  black  on  either  side  of  head  surrounding  eye  and  extend- 
ing over  ear  coverts,  fig.  65 ;  this  mark  also  characterizes  the 


DIRECTORY  TO  BIRDS  OF  EASTERN  NORTH  AMERICA. 


Breeds  from  Manitoba  southward  to 
Fig.  65. 


young;  feet,  yellow. 
Ya.,  111.,  Tex- 
as, and  Cal., 
thus  chiefly  in 
the  interior;^ 
winters  from 
the  Carolinas 
southward  to 
Brazil;  wan- 
ders occasion- 
ally to  the 
coast  of  Mass.  F9  C,  d,  3.  1-2. 

Cries,  similar  to  2  but  harsher.     Common. 

4.  AECTIC  TEEN,  S.  PARADISAEA;    differs  from 2  in 
having  the  bill  nearly  red,  plate  5,  the  under  parts  pearly 
gray  and  the  feet  coral-red.  Young  have  the  bill  wholly  black, 
the  feet  yellow,  but  the  rump  is   always   abruptly   white. 
Northern  hemisphere ;  in  N.  A.  breeding  from  Me.  (formerly 
Mass.)  northward ;  winters  south  of  the  U.  S. ;  time  of  mi- 
gration like  2 ;  cries  also  similar.  Not  now  at  all  common  on 
the  coast  of  the  U.  S. 

5.  EOSEATE  TEEN,  S.  DOUGALLJ;  differs  from  2  in  be- 
ing more  slender  in  form  Fig.  66. 

with  a  longer  tail  which 
is  all  white,  and  the  out- 
er feathers  are  very  nar- 
row ;  strongly  tinged  with 
rosy  below;  bill,  usually 
all  black,  but  is  some- 
times orange  at  base; 
feet,  yellow,  plate  6. 
young  have  the  back 
quite  heavily  but  irregu- 
larly banded  and  mottled 
with  dusky,  and  the  cap 


!F%   C,  d,  5.     1-10. 


dusky  narrowly  streaked  with  white,  fig.  63  ;  the  outer  web 


54  TEENS. 

of  the  outer  feather  of  the  short  tail  is  nearly  white ;  feet, 
black.  The  adult  is  the  most  graceful  as  well  as  the  most 
beautiful  of  our  terns.  Cry,  "  O-ar-ar-ar  "  ;  a  peculiar  roll- 
ing sound  difficult  to  imitate;  it  is  harsher  than  in  2.  Tem- 
perate and  Tropical  regions,  breeding  on  the  Atlantic  coast 
of  N.  A.  from  the  south  shore  of  Mass,  southward ;  winters 
far  south  of  our  limits ;  comes  north  in  May ;  goes  south  in 
Sep.  Common. 

e.    Little  Terns.    Sternula. 

Size,  small;  bill,  very  slender;  form  much  as  in  d  and 
the  colors  are  much  the  same,  but  there  is  a  sharply  denned 
lunette  of  white  on  the  forehead,  fig.  67. 

1.  LEAST  TEEN,  S.  ANTILLARUM.  Our  smallest  Tern, 
9.00;  entire  upper  parts,  inclu-  Fig.  67. 

ing  tail,  pale,  pearl-grey ;  two 
outer  primaries,  sooty-black 
on    outer  portion;    outer  tail 
feather,    mostly   white ;    pure 
white   beneath ;   bill,   yellow, 
black  at- extern  e  tip;  feet,  yel- 
low.    In  winter  the  white  of 
forehead    is   more   extended. 
Young,  with  a  patch  of  dusky^ 
on  wing   and   with   U-   or  V-  F9.  C,  e,  1.     1-6. 

shaped  marks  of  dusky  on  back ;  tail,  not  as  deeply  forked. 
Downy  young,  nearly  white;  grayish  above  often  sprinkled 
with  blackish.  Breeds  from  the  south  shore  of  Mass,  south- 
ward from  late  May  (Bahamas)  to  early  July  (Mass) ;  migates 
north  in  May  and  June ;  goes  south  in  Sep. ;  winters  south  of 
our  limits.  Rather  uncommon  now  in  ~$.  E.  but  abundant 
further  south.  Cries,  "Tce~dcel-deedle"  and  when  alarmed, 
a  harsher,  more  decidedly  given,  "Hoyt"  repeated  at  irregu- 
lar intervals.  Flight,  not  as  steady  as  in  the  other  species 
of  Terns  given,  but  rather  jerky,  the  bird  falling  a  little  be- 
tween every  wing-beat.  In  common  with  all  of  the  Terns  al- 
ready given,  and  the  two  following,  this  species  has  the  hab- 
it of  darting  obliquely  downward  when  flying  in  company 


DIRECTORY   TO    BIRDS    OF   EASTERN    NORTH   AMERICA.        55 

with  several  of  its  fellows,  this  general  movement  being 
made  suddenly  in  response  to  a  cry  given  by  some  member 
of  the  flock  that  evidently  acts  as  a  leader. 

f.    Dusky-backed  Terns.    Haliplana. 
Size,  rather  large;  mantle  and  head,  dusky  or  black; 
bill,  slender,  and  with  feet,  wholly  black  ;  tail,  deeply  forked, 
figs,  68,  69  :  flight,  much  as  in  d ;  tropical  and  subtropical  in 
distribution.     Egg,  single,  lighter  in  color  than  in  d. 

1.  BRIDLED  TERN,   H.    ANAETHETUS.     14.00;  form; 
slender;  above,  rather  pale  brownish-slate  becoming  lighter, 
nearly  white,  in  Fig.  68. 

a,  collar  on  back 
of  neck  and  on 
tail,  the  outer 
feather  of  which 
is  white  except- 
ing at  tip  and  all  jp 
the  others  white  ^^~^~^-^=^ 
at  base ;  three  ==¥: 
outer  primaries  "^~^ 
have  a  pure 
white  space  on  the  middle  of  the  inner  web  which  narrows 
to  a  point  terminally ;  top  of  head,  brownish-black  with  a 
well  defined  frontal  lunette  the  horns  of  which  extend  back- 
ward over  and  behind  eye;  beneath,  pure  white,  fig  68.  The 
young  have  the  white  of  the  forehead  more  extended  and 
and  the  back  is  grayish  more  or  less  streaked  with  white. 
Flight,  swift  and  graceful,  the  wing-beats  being  long  and 
sweeping.  Cries,  rather  shrill;  ordinary  note,  "Killlick", 
often  repeated ;  the  alarm  note  is  a  croak ;  the  signal  for  the 
flock  to  dart  downward  when  flying  is  a  shrill,  snarling  note. 
Tropical  sea  coasts  in  general ;  breeds  commonly  on  the  Ba- 
hamas in  May  in  places  rather  apart  from  other  Terns,  nest- 
ing under  rocks ;  appears  on  the  Bahamas  the  last  week  in 
April  and  disappears  in  autumn ;  Accidental  in  Florida. 

2,  SOOTY  TERX,  H.  FUI.IGIXOSA.   Differs  from  1  in  be- 
ing larger.    16.00;    not  as   slender;    darker   above,    uniform 


56  TEENS. 

sooty-black;  the  feathers  of  the  tail  are  not  white  at  base, 
but  the  outer  is  Fig.  69- 

nearly  white, 
dark  on  terminal 
portion  of  inner  < 
web  only;  mid- 
dle of  inner  web 
of  outer  primari- 
es, gray,  and  the 
horns  of  lunette 
extend  only  to 
middle  of  eye,  fig. 
69.  Young,  sooty 
brown  throughout  F9  C,  f .  2.  1-6. 

paler  below ;  wing  coverts  and  scapularies  narrowly  but  dis- 
tinctly tipped  with  white.  Cries,  harsh ;  ordinary  note, 
"Quanti",  repeated  irregularly;  alarm  note,  "^>//-tf«£"  rap- 
idly repeated;  also  gives  a  harsh,  snarling  cry  as  a  signal 
for  darting  downward  through  the  air.  Flight,  rather  heavi- 
er and  less  graceful  than  in  1.  Range,  similar  to  1  in  gener- 
al, but  breeds  commonly  on  the  Tortugas  Islands,  Fla.  and 
occurs  regularly,  but  rarely  along  the  coast  to  S.  C.  and  cas- 
ually to  N .  E.  Abundant. 

g.    Short-tailed  Terns.  Hydrochelidon. 

Fig.  70.  Size  small;  Mantle,  deep 

plumbeous;  bill,  slender, 
black  or  dark-brown ;  tail, 
shorter  than  tips  of  fold- 
ed wings  and  but  slightly 
forked.^  Eggs  3,  4,  averag- 
ing darker  than  any  others 
in  the  family. 
AMERICAN  BLACK 

TERN.    H.   SURINAMKNSI8. 

Dark  plumbeous  above  be- 
coming sooty  black  on 
*     C    £T    !•     1-5*  Ji nape,   head,    and    wings; 


DIRECTORY   TO    BIRDS    OF    EASTERN   NORTH    AMERICA.        57 

beneath,  sooty-black ;  under  portion  of  wings  and  under  tail 
coverts,  white.  In  winter,  the  head,  neck,  and  lower  parts 
are  white;  eye-ring  and  ear  coverts,  dusky.  Young,  with 
the  back  marked  with  brownish  and  the  sides  washed  with 
plumbeous.  Breeds  from  middle  IT.  S.  west  of  the  Allegha- 
nies,  northward  in  May.  Common ;  not  uncommon  on  the 
coast  of  N.  E  or  near  it  in  Aug.  and  Sep. ;  rare  in  June;  win- 
ters in  S.  A. 

2.  WHITE-WINGED  BLACK  TERN,  H.  LETJCOPTERA. 
Differs  from  1  in  having  the  tail  and  upper  coverts  white. 
Europe ;  one  specimen  only  taken  in  America,  at  Lake  Kosh- 
konong,  Wis.  a  number  of  years  ago. 

h.    Noddies.    Anous. 

Size,  large;  color,  sooty-brown  throughout,  becoming 
hoary  or  white  on  top  of  head;  tail,  graduated.  Egg,  single. 
Birds  of  tropical  and  sub-tropical  sea  coasts. 

1.  NODDY,  A.  STOLIDUS.  15.00;  forehead  and  top  of 
head,  white,  gradual-  Fig.  71. 

ly  grading  into  the 
plumbeous  o  f  neck 
and  sides  of  head; 
spot  in  front  of  eye 
and  upper  e  y  e  1  i  d  ,  t 
black ;  bill  and  feet, 
black.  Intertropical 
seas ;  breeds  on  the 
Tortugas  Islands, 
Fla.  in  May;  eom- 
mon ;  of  rather  un-~ 
common  occurrence 
along  the  coasts  of  the  South  Atlantic  and  Gulf  States. 
Flight,  rather  erratic,  with  long,  sweeping  wing-beats,  while 
the  bird  keeps  low  over  the  water,  giving  it  a  petrel-like  ap- 
pearance ;  in  sitting,  unlike  the  other  terns,  which  usually 
keep  the  head  on  a  level  with  the  body,  it  holds  its  head 
high,  giving  it  a  dove-like  aspect.  Cries,  a  series  of  croaks. 


58  SKIMMEliS. 

A  gentle  bird  which  may  be  taken  from  its  nest  without  it 
making  any  effort  to  defend  itself. 

D.    SKIMMERS.    Rynchopidae. 
Birds   of   general   tern-like  appearance  with  very  long 

Fig.  72. 


D,  a,  1.    1-5. 

wings  and  short,  slightly  forked  tails;  bill,  excessively  com- 
pressed, both  mandibles  being  thin  and  knife-like  terminal- 
ly; the  lower  mandible  considerably  exceeds  the  upper  in 
length  and  is  crossed  by  many  oblique  ridges,  Fig.  72, j  col- 
or, mainly  black  above  and  white  beneath. 

a.    Skimmers.    Rynchops. 
Characters  as  above. 

1  BLACK  SKIMMEK,  R.  NIGAR.  18.00;  beneath,  fore- 
head, tips  of  secondaries,  inner  primaries  and  tail,  except- 
ing middle  feathers  which  are  brownish,  white;  bill,  black, 
basal  portion  and  feet,  vermillion.  lit  winter,  brownish 
above  with  a  broad  white  collar  crossing  neck.  Young,  with 
the  feathers  of  head  and  back  more  or  less  tipped  with  white 
and  the  tail  is  tipped  with  brownish.  These  singular  birds 
are  found  resting  on  sand  bars  in  large  flocks  during  the  day 
and,  when  startled,  move  with  an  eccentric  flight,  with  long, 


DIRECTORY  TO   BIRDS   OF   EASTERN   NORTH   AMERICA.         59 

sweeping  wing-beats ;  at  nightfall  they  separate  into  small 
companies,  and  forming  lines,  fly  up  estuaries  and  rivers, 
keeping  close  to  the  water  with  the  elongated  lower  mandi. 
ble  beneath  the  surface,  in  this  way  securing  food  which 
must  consist  of  substances  that  float  upon  the  surface.  Cries, 
harsh  and  abrupt,  much  like  the  bark  of  a  young  puppy. 
Eggs  placed  upon  sandy  spots  near  the  sea,  2,  3,  white, 
handsomely  mottled  with  dark-brown  and  lilac.  Sea  coasts 
of  the  warmer  portions  of  America;  breeding  on  the  Atlan- 
tic side  from  N.  J.  southward  in  May;  winters  from  the  Fla. 
Keys  southward. 

G.    SHORE   BIROS.     Limicolae. 

Long  legged  and  often  long  winged  birds  with  elongated 
tertiaries,  and  are  usually  found  in  the  vicinity  of  water ; 
bill  of  variable  length,  sometimes  shorter  than  head  but  oft- 
en longer  and  nearly  always  grooved  on  either  side  of  both 
mandibles;  size  never  very  large,  often  small;  colors,  not 
bright,  grays,  white  and  buff  or  reddish  buff  being  usual, 
occasionally  relieved  by  black  markings.  Eggs,  usually  4 
almost  invariably  placed  on  the  ground.  Young,  covered 
with  down  and  active  when  hatched.  Inhabit  nearly  all  re- 
gions of  the  globe. 

A.    PHALAROPES.    Phalaropodidae. 

Sandpiper-like  birds  with  duck-like  habits;  breeding  far 
inland  but  passing  a  greater  portion  of  their  lives  on  the  op- 
en ocean ;  folded  wings  at  least  reaching  to  end  of  short  tail ; 
feet  with  tarsus  compressed ;  toes,  4,  the  anterior  provided 
with  lateral  and  basal  membranes,  figs.  73,  74,  79 ;  plumage 
beneath,  greatly  thickened  closely  blended  and  duck-like 
enabling  the  birds  to  rest  lightly  on  the  water  and  to  swim 
with  ease,  fig.  78.  Sexes,  dissimilar,  the  females  being 
brighter  than  the  males.  Gregarious.  Notes,  weak  whistles. 

a.    Coot-footed  Phalaropes.  Crymophilus. 

Bill,  short,  thick  and  broadened  at  the  end,  fig.  74;  lat- 
eral membranes  of  toes,  slighty  lobed,  fig.  73 ;  summer  female, 
entirely  reddish  beneath. 


60 


PHALAKOPES. 


1.  RED  PHALAEOPE,  C.  FULICARITJS.  8.00;  summer 
female,  beneath,  purplish-cinnamon  extending  around  on 
neck  behind;  sides  of  head,  white;  top  of  head,  dark  plum- 
beous ;  back,  light  reddish  or  buff  streaked  with  black  ;  rump, 
white,  fig.  75.  Summer  male,  smaller,  duller,  with  the  top 
of  head  streaked  with  bufTy.  Winter  adult,  head,  neck,  and 
lower  parts,  white ;  occiput  and  space 
around  eye,  plumbeous ;  back,  pearl-gray. 
Young,  above  dull  black ;  wing  coverts  and 
rump,  plumbeous  with  all  of  the  feathers 
more  or  less  tinged  with  ochraceous ;  white 
beneath,  throat  and  breast  tinged  with 
brownish-buff.  Downy  young,  bright  red- 
dish-buff above,  darkest  on  crown,  every, 
where  broadly  striped  with  black;  dull/ 
white  beneath  with  chin,  throat,  and  chest* 
tinged  with  reddish-buff.  Northern  hem- 
isphere, breeding  far  northward;  migrat- 
ing southward  in  winter  in  IS".  A.  as  far  as  O,  A,  a  1 

Fig.  74.  the  Middle  States ;   not   uncommon  off 

the  coast  of  N.  E.  in  Sep.,  Oct.,  and 
May;  rare  in  the  interior. 

b.  Priiiged-footed  Phalaropes. 
Steganopus. 


A,  a,  1. 


Bill,  long,  slender  and  awJ-like,  fig.  77 ;  lateral  membrane 


of  toes,  continuous 
and  fringe-like,  fig. 
76.  Summer  fe- 
male, white  below, 
reddish  on  neck  on- 

iy- 

1.  WILSON'S 
PHALAKOPE, 

S.  TRICOLOR.  9.00; 
white  beneath,  pale 
bufXy-red  on  neck ; 


Fig.  75. 


A,  b,  1.    1-4. 


w 

H 

0 


n 

1 

ff 

§ 


i 

tf» 


DIRECTORY  TO  BIRDS  OF  EASTERN  NORTH  AMERICA. 


61 


A,  b,  1. 


top  of  head,  grayish-white  which  becomes  pure  white  on  oc- 
ciput and  back  of  neck,  this  Fig.  76.  Fig.  77. 
passes  into  plumbeous-gray  on 
the  back  to  become  abruptly 
white  on  the  upper  tail  coverts 
and  a  portion  of  the  tail ;  re- 
mainder of  tail,  gray ;  a  widen- 
ing line  of  black  passes  through 
eye  to  back  of  head  and  neck 
where  it  becomes  chestnut,  then 
narrowing,  passes  along  sides  of 
back  to  join  a  broader  line  of ' 
the  same  color  on  the  scapulari- 
es,  fig.  78.  Summer  male,  much 
duller  but  with  the  same  mark- 
ings indicated.  Winter  adult,  ash-gray  above;  upper  tail 
coverts  and  lower  parts,  white.  Young,  blackish  above 
Fig.  78.  more  or  less  streaked 
with  buff ;  supercilia- 
ry stripe,  upper  tail 
coverts,  and  lower 
parts,  white;  neck, 
^tinged  with  buff. 
Downy  young,  bright 
tawny  above,  paler 
beneath ;  black  stripe 
on  occiput  and  hind 
neck  and  three  broad 
ones  on  lower  back 
Gr,  A,  b,  1.  1-4.  and  rump;  a  black 
band  near  tail  and  a  black  spot  on  flanks.  Temperate  N.  A. ; 
breeding  from  southern  111.  and  Utah  north  to  the  Saskat- 
chewan region ;  in  winter  to  Brazil  and  Patagonia ;  very  rare 
on  the  N.  E.  coast  in  spring  and  autumn  (May  and  Aug.). 

c.  Lobe-footed  Phalaropes.    Phalaropus. 
Smaller  than  in  b,  but  with  the  bill  similar;  lateral  toe 


02  PHALAROPES. 

membrane,  distinctly  lobed,  fig.  79 ;  no  distinct  red  markings 
above. 

1.     NORTHERN  PHALAROPE,  P.  LOBATUS.    7.50;  above, 
dark  plumbeous  striped  on  back  with  Fig.  79. 

reddish-buff;  upper  tail  coverts,  like 
back  ;  distinct  wing  band  and  under 
parts,  white;  sides  of  neck  and  chest, 
rufous.  Summer  male,  much  duller, 
the  rufous  confined  to  sides  of  neck, 
and  the  chest  is  mottled  with  white 
and  grayish.  Winter  adult,  forehead, 
superciliary  Line,  and  beneath,  white; 
above,  grayish  ;  patch  on  sides  of  head, 
blackish,  fig.  80.  Young  differ  from 
last  in  being  streaked  above  with  red- 
dish-buff. Downy  young,  bright  taw-  GJ-,  A,  C,  1. 

Fig.  80.  ny  above ;   three  black 

stripes  on  rump ;  triangular 
patch  of  b  1  a  c  k  on  crown  ; 
black  line  over  eye;  white 
beneath,  throat,  pale  taw- 
ny. Northern  hemisphere, 
breeding  far  north  ;  winters 
off  the  coast  of  the  Caroli- 
nas  southward ;  common  off 
Gr,  A,  C,  1.  1-4.  the  coast  of  N.  E.  from  mid- 

dle Aug.  to  early  Oct. ;  occasionally  seen  on  beaches  and 
rarely  on  the  waters  of  the  interior ;  migrates  north  in  May 
when  it  is  less  common. 

B.    AVOCETS  AND  STILTS.  Recurvirostridae. 
Legs,  greatly  lengthened,  longer  than  any  other  in  G ; 
tibea,  naked  for  at  least  half  its  length ;  toes,  with  a  well 
developed  basel  web ;  rather  large  birds  of  social  habits  that 
usually  occur  in  the  vicinity  of  fresh  water. 

a.    Avocets.    Recurvirostra. 

Bill,  flattened,  longer  than  head  and  decidedly  recurved, 
fig.  81 ;  toes,  4,  the  anterior  fully  webbed ;  wings,  short,  when 


DIRECTORY   TO   BIRDS    OF   EASTERN    NORTH   AMERICA.        63 

folded  not  reaching  end  of  tail.     Colors,  black,  white,   and 
reddish.     Sexes,  similar. 

1.     AMERICAN  AYOCET,  R.  AMERICANA.  17.00 ;  head, 
neck,   and  chest,  light  cinna-  Fig.  81. 

mon ;  wings  and  two    broad 
stripes  on  back,  brownish-black  ;, 
tail,  ashy;  white  elsewhere,  fig. 
81.     In  winter,  head,  neck,  and 
chest,  white  tinged  with  bluish. 
Swims  well  and   frequently 
alights  on  the  water.     Cries, 
harsh  and   continuous.     Breeds 
in  the  interior  west  of  the  Miss- 
issippi River,  from  Kansas  north 
to  the  Saskatchewan  and  Greatj 
Slave  Lake ;  exceedingly  rare  in 
Eastern  U.  S. ;    winters  south  to! 
Guatemala. 


b.    Stilts.    Himantopus. 

Bill,  not   flattened,  slender 


Fig.  82. 


G,  B,  a,  1.     1-4, 


,  B,  b,  1.    1-4. 


and  nearly  straight ;  toes,  three, 
webbed  at  base  only ;  wings, 
long,  when  folded  reaching  be- 
yond end  of  tail,  fig.  82,  colors, 
black  and  white.  Sexes,  dis- 
similar. 

1.  BLACK-NECKED  STILT, 
H.  MEXICANUS.  14.00 ;  m  a  1  e  , 
top  and  sides  of  head  below  eye, 
back  of  neck,  middle  of  back, 
and  wings,  glossy,  greenish- 
black  ;  tail  gray ;  spot  behind 
eye  and  parts  not  mentioned, 
white ;  bill,  black  :  iris,  red ; 
feet  and  legs,  carmine,  fig.  82. 
The  female  differs  in  having  the 
back  slaty-brown  and  the  other 


64  SHORE  BIRDS. 

black  portions  duller.  Young,  differ  from  the  last  in  having- 
the  feathers  of  the  back  bordered  with  dull  white  and  the 
top  of  head  finely  mottled  with  the  same.  Downy  young,  yel- 
lowish gray  above,  paler  beneath,  mottled  and  spotted  above 
with  dusky  with  a  median  line  on  head  of  the  same.  Breed- 
ing note,  ''''Put"  repeated  many  times  at  regular  intervals  as 
the  bird  both  sits  and  flies;  alarm  note,  a  series  of  harsh 
screams.  Flight,  steady,  not  swift,  wing-beats  rather  slow 
and  sweeping  low,  the  head  is  held  partly  back  but  the  legs 
are  fully  extended,  or  in  short  flights  are  held  dangling ;  al- 
though it  often  wades  in  water  so  deeply  that  it  nearly  floats, 
it  seldom  swims ;  a  number  will  sometimes  sit  together  in 
the  water  occasionally  moving  the  primaries  up  and  down 
with  a  fan-like  movement  while  the  secondaries  are  kept 
motionless.  Breeds  from  northern  U.  S.,  west  of  the  Miss- 
issippi River,  southward  and  in  Fla.,  the  Bahamas,  and  the 
Antilles  in  late  April  and  early  May.  Common ;  very  rare  in 
eastern  U.  S.  north  of  Fla. ;  arrives  in  Fla.  about  the  middle 
of  March ;  goes  south  in  early  Oct. 

C.  WOODCOCKS  AND  SNIPES.   Scolecopaoidae. 

Birds  of  fresh  water  swamps  and  marshes ;  bill,  much 
longer  than  Fig.  83. 

head,  covered 
with  soft  skin 
sensitive  near 
tip  (rough-  G,  C,  b,  1. 

ened  by  pits  and  wrinkled  when  dry,  fig.  83),  with  it  the 
birds  procure  worms  and  similar  animals  by  probing  in  mud 
or  soft  earth ;  in  order  to  enable  the  birds*to  perceive  dang- 
er when  the  bill  is  buried  to  the  base,  the  eyes  are  placed 
far  back  in  the  head  directly  over  the  ears,  figs.  85,  86;  neck, 
and  wings,  short,  folding  within  the  tip  of  the  short,  round- 
ed tail ;  legs,  short ;  toes,  four,  long,  no  basal  webs ;  plumage 
the  same  at  all  seasons ;  sexes,  similar.  All  of  the  species 
are  well  known  game  birds. 


DIRECTORY   TO   BIRDS    OF    EASTERN   NORTH   AMERICA.      65 

a.    Narrow -quilled  "Woodcocks.    Philohela. 

Very  short-necked  stout-bodied  birds  that  live  in  swamps 
and  are  protectively  clad  in  dull  reds  and  wood  browns ;  wings, 
very  short,  folding  at  the  base  of  tail,  and  with  three  prima- 
Fig.  84. 


G,  C,  a,  1. 

ries,  somewhat  shorter  than  the  fourth  and  much  narrower 
than  the  others,  fig.  84;  tibia,  feathered  to  the  tarsal  joint. 
Solitary  in  habit,  or  occasionally  found  in  scattered  flocks. 

1.  AMERICAN  WOODCOCK,  P.  MINOR.  11.00;  dark 
brown  above,  with  three  distinct  bands  of  reddish-buff  cross- 
ing occiput,  and  otherwise  finely  banded  with  reddish-buff 
and  mottled  with  ashy  brown  ;  forehead  to  eye,  sides  of  head, 
and  tip  of  tail,  ashy  brown ;  a  dusky  line  from  bill  to  eye ;  be- 
neath, reddish  buff  brightest  on  sides  and  flanks,  ashy  on 
neck  beneath  ;  downy  young,  rusty  buff  throughout,  mottled 
and  spotted  above  with  brown;  iris,  bill,  and  feet,  brown. 
Flight,  direct  and  swift,  with  rapid  wing-beats,  sometimes 
accompanied  by  a  whistling  sound,  commonly  supposed  to  be 
vocal ;  from  early  March  to  July  gives  what  is  known  as  the 
sky  song;  the  bird  selects  an  open  spot  near  its  breeding 
ground,  to  which  it  resorts  at  twilight;  the  performance  be- 
gins with  the  utterance  cf  a  number  of  bleating  notes  not  un- 
like the  cry  of  the  nighthawk,  but  rather  more  tremulous  and 
not  as  sharp;  this  sound  is  repeated  at  regular  intervals  from 
a  few  to  many  times,  then  the  bird  rises,  and  giving  the  whist- 
ling flight-sound,  describes  a  wide  circle,  two  or  three  hun- 
dred yards  in  diameter,  but  constantly  ascending  and  circling 
spiraliy,  each  successive  circle  being  smaller  than  the  last, 
until  he  has  reached  a  point  at  the  apex  directly  above  the 
spot  from  which  he  had  started,  then  he  drops  downward 


66 


SHORE   BIRDS. 


C,  b,  1.1-6. 


with  a  rocking  motion  on  extended  wings,  uttering  a  rather 
subdued,  liquid  whistle.     Alight-  Fig.  58. 

ing,  this  performance  is  repeated, 
often  a  number  of  times  during 
an  evening.  To  hear  this  song 
the  observer  should  station  him- 
self shortly  after  sunset  at  a  point 
near  enough  to  a  known  spot 
where  a  woodcock  performs  to 
hear  the  opening  bleats,  but  not 
near  enough  to  disturb  the  bird 
when  he  comes  from  the  swamp. 
Just  as  soon  as  the  bird  rises  to 
begin  the  upward  flight  walk  very 
swiftly  forward, taking  care  to  drop  flat  on  the  ground  as  the 
bird  approaches  the  earth ;  thus  by  exercising  caution  and 
keeping  perfect  silence,  it  is  possible  to  approach  wittiin  a 
few  yards  and  witness  the  bird's  behavior  when  on  the 
ground.  Alder  swamps  are  favorite  resorts  of  the  woodcock 
and  in  them  it  may  be  found  in  early  spring,  at  which  time 
it  is  not  especially  shy.  Breeds  throughout  Eastern  N.  A. 
from  the  British  Provinces,  south  to  Fla.,  in  March  and  April, 
placing  its  nest  in  woodlands  near  swamps;  winters  in  the 
Southern  States,  goes  south  in  Oct.  and  Nov. ;  comes  north 
in  late  Feb.  and  Mar.  Quite  common,  but  far  less  so  than 
in  former  years,  fig.  58. 

•  b.    Broad-quilled  Woodcocks.    Scolopax. 

Larger,  and  differs  otherwise  in  having  the  outer  prima- 
ry longer  than  the  second  and  as  broad  as  the  others. 

1.  EUROPEAN  WOODCOCK,  S.  RUSTICOLA.  Differs 
from  a,  1  in  being  larger  (13.00)  and  in  being  distinctly  band- 
ed beneath.  Northern  parts  of  eastern  hemisphere:  occas- 
ional in  Eastern  N.  A. 

c.    Snipes.    Gallinago. 

More  slender  birds  with  longer  necks  that  live  in  marshes 
and  are  clad  in  browns  and  reddish-grays ;  wings  longer  than 


DIRECTORY  TO   BIRDS   OF   EASTERN   NORTH  AMERICA.        67 

in  a,  reaching  beyond  middle  of  tail,  the  first  primary  is  long- 
est and  all  are  broad ;  tibia,  not  f eatherd  to  the  tarsal  joint. 
Eggs,  placed  in  marshes.  Not  as  solitary  in  habit  as  in  a, 
numbers  often  associate  together,  especially  in  winter. 

1.  WILSON'S  SNIPE,  G.  DELICATA.  11.00;  dusky-brown 
above  streaked,  mottled,  and  banded  with  reddish-buff,  ru- 
fous and  grayish-white ;  median  line  of  buff  on  head ;  tail, 
black  with  a  sub-terminal  band  of  pale  chestnut ;  white  be- 
neath and  on  side  of  head,  grayish  on  lower  neck  and  chest 
mottled  with  dusky ;  dusky  line  in  front  of  eye ;  under  wing 
coverts,  axillaries,  and  sides,  distinctly  marked  with  black 
bands  that  are  as  wide,  or  wider,  than  the  white  interspaces. 
It  is  almost  impossible  to  see  Fig.  86. 

this  bird  on  the  ground  as  it  lies  , 
very  close ;  when  startled,  it  ris- 
es quickly  and  flies  swiftly  in  a 
zigzag  course,  uttering  its  singu-* 
lar  bleating  "Scape'1'1  as  it  goes  ;  > 
after  flying  some  twenty  yards 
its  course  becomes  more  direct, 
but  it  still  winds  and  circles,  ands 
after  rising  to  a  considerableN 
height,  and  going  some  distanced 
away,  it  is  quite  apt  to  return  and  Gr,   C,  C,  1.     1-6. 

alight  near  where  it  started.  Upon  its  breeding  grounds, 
and  occasionally  when  migrating,  it  produces  the  sound  called 
winnowing.  The  bird  rises  high  in  air  and  when  it  reaches 
a  certain  altitude  darts  rapidly  in  a  zigzag,  flight  much 
like  a  Nighthawk,  at  the  same  time  giving  the  sound  which 
has  received  the  appropriate  name  of  winnowing;  whether 
this  is  made  by  the  wings  or  is  vocal  is  difficult  to  decide. 
Breeds  from  northern  U.  S.  northward,  occasionally  further 
south ;  winters  regularly  from  the  Carolinas  southward  to 
northern  S.  A.,  and  irregularly  as  far  north  as  Mass. ;  comes 
north  in  April  and  May ;  goes  south  in  Sep.  and  Oct. 


68  SHORE   BIRDS. 

2.  EUKOPEAN  SNIPE,  G.  GALI.INAGO.  Differs  from  1 
in  having  the  white  bandings  on  the  under  wing  coverts,  ax- 
illaries,  and  sides,  wider  then  the  dark  interspaces,  and  the 
tail  feathers  are  broader.  Europe,  northern  Asia  and  Africa ; 
frequent  in  Greenland ;  accidental  in  the  Bermudas. 

D.  SANDPIPERS,  TATTLERS,  GOD  WITS, 
CURLEWS,  ETC.  Tringidae. 

Birds  which  usually  occur  in  marshes,  either  salt  or 
fresh  or  on  sea  beaches  ;  a  few  species  occur  on  dry  land  but 
never  in  wooded  swamps ;  eyes,  placed  in  front  of  ears ; 
wings,  longer  than  in  C  ;  tibia,  never  feathered  to  the  tarsal 
joint ;  front  of  tarsus  covered  with  a  continuous  row  of  scales, 
toes  four,  excepting  in  i ;  highly  gregarious  in  habit ;  sum- 
mer and  winter  plumages  are  very  different ;  sexes,  similar. 
General  flight,  swift  and  direct,  with  rapid  wing-beats, 
turning  and  wheeling  in  air  is  performed  with  grace  and  ease. 
All  of  the  species  run  swiftly,  although  none  when  adult 
swim  voluntarily  when  uninjured,  wounded  birds,  and  young 
often  enter  the  water  and  swim  with  ease. 

a.    Snipe  Sandpipers.    Macrorhamphus. 

Medium  sized,  snipe-like  birds  with  long,  sensitive-tip- 
ped bills,  rather  long  necks,  Fig  87. 
folded  wings  reaching  tip 
square  tail,  legs,  long   and 
feet  with  partly   webbed 
toes,  fig.  87;  sometimes  oc- 
cur on  muddy  borders  of 
fresh  waters,  but  more  com- 
monly in  muddy  places  on 
salt  marshes  where  they 
feed  by  probing. 

1.  DOWITCHEK,  M. 
GRISETJS.  10.00 ;  bill,  2.35 ; 
dusky  brown  above  so  thick-  O,  D,  a,  1.  1-6. 

iy  streaked  and  banded  with  pale  cinnamon  as  to  appear  red- 
dish when  seen  at  a  distance;  lower  back  and  rump,  white 


DIRECTORY  TO  BIRDS  OF  EASTERN  NORTH  AMERICA.  69 

spotted  with  dusky  ;  beneath,  pale  cinnamon  somewhat  mot- 
tled with  lighter,  marked  with  a  number  of  rounded  spots 
and  some  bars  of  dusky  ;  bill,  brown  ;  feet,  greenish,  fig.  81. 
Winter,  gray  above;  lower  back  and  rump  as  in  summer; 
white  beneath,  grayish  on  lower  neck  and  sides  where  there 
are  slight  bandings  and  spottings  of  dusky.  Young,  differ 
from  the  last  in  being  darker  above  where  all  of  the  feathers, 
excepting  on  lower  back,  rump  and  upper  tail  coverts,  are 
edged  and  banded  with  yellowish-rufous;  beneath,  tinged 
with  reddish-buff.  Note,  a  mellow  whistle  uttered  when  the 
bird  rises  and  when  it  is  on  the  wing;  this  call  is  often  fol- 
lowed by  one  or  two  others  which  are  low  and  querulous. 
An  unsuspicious  species  which,  although  sometimes  found 
singly,  more  often  occurs  in  flocks,  some  of  which  are  very 
large,  and  fly  in  compact  form.  Eastern  N.  A;  breeding  far 
north  ;  pass  south,  chiefly  along  the  coast  in  July  and  Aug. ; 
winters  from  the  Carolinas  to  the  West  Indies  and  Brazil; 
come  north  in  May ;  abundant  at  this  season  in  Fla.  and  the 
Bahamas  but  not  as  common  further  north. 

2.  LONG-BILLED  DOWITCHER,  M.  SCOLOPACEUS.  Dif- 
fers from  1  in  being  deeper  in  color  beneath,  where  there  are 
no  blotches.  Western  N.  A.  breeding  in  Alaska  to  the  Arctic 
coast ;  migrating  south  through  western  U.  S.  (including  the 
Mississippi  Valley )  and  less  commonly  along  the  Atlantic 
coast  to  winter  in  Mexico;  time  of  migration  same  as  in  1. 

b.    Long-legged    Sandpipers.    Micropalma. 

Very  long  legged  birds  with  slightly  webbed  toes,  slen- 
der, somewhat  sensitive  tipped  bills  w,hich  are  not  as  long  as 
in  a,  fig.  88.  Similar  in  general  habit  to  a  and  frequent  sim- 
ilar places. 

1,  STILT  SANDPIPER,  M.  HIMANTOPUS.  9.00.  bill,  1.60 ; 
tail,  white ;  remaining  upper  parts  dusky-brown  streaked  and 
banded  with  pale  buff ;  patch  on  side  of  head,  light  rusty ; 
beneath,  white,  banded  with  dusky ;  bill,  brown ;  feet,  green- 
ish. In  winter  rather  grayer  above  and  dull  white  beneath 
without  bandings ;  no  reddish  spot  on  side  of  head,  fig.  88. 
Young,  rather  more  buffy  above  than  the  last  and  with  a  buff 


88. 


7O  SHORE   BIRDS. 

tingeing  on  breast.  Note,  a  chuckling  whistle.  Flight,  swift 
and  direct,  with  rapid  wing  beats.  Eastern  N.  A.,  breeding 
north  of  the  Fig. 

U.  S. ;  goes  — ^ 

south  i  11 
Aug.  w  h  c  11 
it  is  not  un- 
common on 
the  coast  of 
Mass.,  to 
winter  in  S. 
A, ;  comes 
north  in  Ap- 
ril, when  it 
is  common  in 
Fla.  but  rare 
further  north 
on  the  coast. 

c.    Ruddy  Sandpipers.    Tringa. 
Rather  large,  stout  sandpipers  with  quite  thick  and  not 
very  long  bills  that  are  not  sensitive  at  tip  ;  legs  not  long ;  toes 
without  webs ;   occur  on   sandy  beaches  and  procure  their 


Gr9  D,  b,  1.  1-3, 


Fig.  89. 


B,  c,  1.    1-5. 


food,  which  consists  chiefly 
o  f  small  marine  animals, 
between  tide  marks. 

1.    KNOT,    T.    CANUTUS. 
10.50  ;  bill,  1.35;  ashy-gray 
above  mottled  with  dull 
1  black  and  pale  reddish  ; 
'  upper  t  a,  i  1  coverts,   white 
.  banded  with  dusky  ;  be- 
~"  neath,    pale    cinnamon 
streaked  on  throat  and 
banded  on  sides  with  dusky 
bill,  brown  ;  feet,  greenish, 
fig.  89.    Winter,  gray  above 


DIRECTORY  TO   BIRDS   OF   EASTERN    NORTH  AMERICA      71 

with  feathers  margined  with  white  and  the  white  beneath  is 
tinged  with  yellowish.  Young,  differ  from  the  last  in  being 
without  the  yellowish  tingeing  beneath.  Note,  a  clear,  dou- 
ble whistle,  not  loud  and  not  often  given.  Occurs  in  small 
flocks  often  associating  with  Black-bellied  Plover  and  other 
beach  birds,  but  frequently  alone  on  sand  spits.  Northern 
Hemisphere,  breeding  far  north  migrating  south  in  N.  A.  on 
the  Atlantic  coast  from  the  middle  of  July  until  the  first  of 
Nov. ;  winters  from  the  Carolinas  southward  but  is  not  found 
on  the  Bahamas  and  is  rare  in  the  West  Indies;  migrates 
northward  in  May,  arriving  in  N.  E.  the  latter  part  of  the 
month,  when  it  is  not  uncommon  along  the  south  shore  and 
on  Gape  Cod,  but  rare  north  of  Cape  Ann. 

d,  Feather-legged  Stints.    Arquatella. 

Medium  sized  sandpipers  with  robust  form,  slender,  not 
long  bills,  short  legs  with  tibia  provided  with  long  feathers 
the  tips  of  which  reach  below  the  tarsal  joint,  and  with  round- 
ed tail,  fig.  90. 

1.  PURPLE  SANDPIPER,  A.  MARITIMA.  8.50;  bill, 
1.25  :  brownish-black  above  with  the  scapularies  and  inter- 
scapularies  irregularly  spotted  with  dull  buff  and  bordered 
with  whitish  at  tips;  white  beneath  streaked  on  neck  and 


Fig.  90. 


G,  B,  d,  1,    1-5. 


chest  with  dusky ;  breast, 
light  grayish  spotted  with 
darker;  bill,  dark-brown, 
orange  at  base  ;  feet,  green- 
ish-yellow.  Winter,  black- 
ish brown  above  glossed 
with  purplish,  scapularies, 
interscapularies,  and  wing 
coverts  bordered  with 
plumbeous,  fig.  90.  Young 
differ  from  the  last  in  hav- 
ing  the  dark  of  upper  parts 
much  obscured  with  plumb- 
eous and  the  plumbeous  be- 


72  SHORE  BIRDS. 

neath  is  extended  on  to  the  neck ;  rump  and  upper  tail  cov- 
erts, black  in  all  stages.  Note,  a  feeble  whistle.  Flight,  or- 
dinary. Northern  portions  of  northern  hemisphere,  breeding 
far  north ;  in  N.  A.  migrating  south  in  Oct.  appearing  on  the 
coast  of  N.  E.  about  Nov.  1  ;  winters  from  the  British  Prov- 
inces south  to  the  Great  Lakes  and  upper  Mississippi  Valley, 
on  the  Atlantic  coast  commonly  from  Grand  Manan  to  the 
south  shore  of  N.  E. ;  more  rarely  to  N.  J.  and  casually  to 
Fla.  Occurs  on  rocky  islands.  Common. 

e.    Stints.    Actodromas. 

Medium  to  small  sized  sandpipers  differing  from  d  in 
having  a  more  slender  form  and  longer  legs  which  are  not 
feathered  so  near  the  tarsal  joint;  toes,  not  palmate,  plate  7. 
Upper  tail  coverts  dark  brown  excepting  in  2  and  3. 

1.  PECTOKAL  SANDPIPER,  A.  MACULATA.  8.50;  bill, 
1.15;  rump,  dark-brown;  above,  dark-brown  with  the  feath- 
ers margined  with  brownish-buff ;  white  beneath   with   fore 
neck  and  breast  grayish-buff  broadly  streaked   with  dusky ; 
bill,  brown  ;  feet,  greenish.     Plate  8,  A.     Winter,   differs  in 
"being  less  rusty  above  with  the  dark  markings  less  distinct. 
Young,  more  rusty  above  than  the  summer  adult  and  more 
buff  beneath  where  the  streakings  are  narrower.     !Note,   a 
shrill,  rolling  whistle,   often  given   harshly  and   gratingly. 
Flight,  when  started  singly,  swift  and  erratic,   something 
as  in  C,  C,  1.     Occurs,  as  a  rule,  among  the  grass  of  the 
higher  portions  of  the  salt  marshes  where  it  has  a  habit  of 
squatting  to  hide  when  approached.     Breeds  in  the  Arctic 
regions  of  N.  A.  migrating  southward  from  the  middle   of 
July  until  the  first  of  Nov. ;  abundant  at  this   season   on  the 
coast  and  rather  common  in  the  interior ;  not  common  on  the 
Atlantic  coast  south  of  N.  J. ;   winters  far  south  in  S.  A. ; 
comes  north  in  May  but  is  then  rare  on  the  Atlantic  coast 
and  common  in  the  interior. 

2.  WH1TE-RUMPED  SANDPIPER,  A.  FUSCICOLMS.  A 
little  smaller  than  1  (7.00) ;  bill,  more  slender,  shorter  (.95) ; 
upper  tail  coverts,  white;  brownish  gray  above  rather  broad- 


Kir 

I.  :..-'    v,-,.,    Ayr" 


DIRECTORY   TO   BIRDS    OF    EASTERN   NORTH   AMERICA.         73 

ly  streaked  with  dusky  and  tinged  with  yellowish  red ;  white 
beneath  with  sides  of  head,  lower  neck,  and  breast  tinged 
with  ashy  and  streaked  with  dusky;  bill,  brown ;  feet,  green- 


Fig.  01. 


ish,  fig.  91.  Winter, 
differs  in  having  no 
reddish  above  and 
fewer  streaks  beneath. 
Young,  differ  in  having 
many  of  t  h  e  feathers 
above  tipped  with  rus- 
ty and  some  buff  tinge- 
ing  on  breast.  Note,  a 
short,  sharp  whistle. 
Fl  i  ght  ordinary.  Oc- 
curs on  both  beach  and 
salt  marsh;  unsus- 
picious birds  which  are 
sometimes  found  G-t  D,  2.  1-4. 

in  small  flocks  by  themselves,  or  often  in  company  with  other 
sandpipers.  Eastern  N.  A.  breeding  far  north ;  migrates 
south  in  Sep.  and  Oct.  but  sometimes  specimens  occur  earlier 
or  later  in  N.  E. ;  winters  in  southern  S.  A.  casually  as  far 
north  as  Fla. 

3.  COOPER'S  SANDPIPER,  A.  COOPERI.     Differs    from 
4   in  being  larger  (  9.50  ),  in  having  only  a  trace  of  reddish 
on  the  longer  scapularies,  plate  71,  and  in  having  conspicu- 
ous Y-shaped  marks  on  upper  tail  coverts.      Only  a  single 
specimen   known,   obtained  on  Long  Island,   N.  Y.,  May  24, 
1833. 

4.  BAIRD'S  SANDPIPER,  A.  BAIRDII.     Somewhat  sim- 
ilar to  1,  differs  in  being  smaller  (  7.25  ),  in  having  a  weaker 
bill,  (  .95  ),  plate  8,  B,  in  being  much  paler  above,  and  in 
having   fewer  streakings  on  the  breast  below.     The  young 
have  all  of  the  feathers  above  very  narrowly    margined  with 
pale  grayish-buff  conspicuous  enough  to  give  the  back  a  scaled 
appearance.     Note,  not  very  unlike  1.     Flight,   much  as  in 


74  SHORE    BIRDS. 

2.  Breeds  in  Alaska  and  on  the  Barren  Grounds;  migrates 
south  in  Aug.  and  Sep.,  but  chiefly  through  the  interior  of 
the  western  states  where  it  is  often  found  on  dry  ground; 
rare  on  the  Atlantic  Coast  from  N.  E.  south,  occurring  with 
other  sandpipers  on  both  marsh  and  beach ;  winters  in  south- 
ern S.  A. ;  comes  north  in  April  always  through  the  interior. 
5.  LEAST  SANDPIPER,  A.  MINUTILLA.  Smallest  of  all 
our  sandpipers  (  6.15 ;  bill  .85  ),  in  spring  much  like  a  small 
edition  of  1  but  with  less  buff  beneath  and  fewer  streakings, 
plate  7.  Winter,  grayish  above ;'  indistinctly  streaked  with 
dusky  and  grayish  on  breast.  Young,  with  the  dark  brown 
feathers  above  very  conspicuously  bordered  with  bright  ru- 
fous and  a  few  spots  of  whitish;  breast,  buff;  bill,  always 
brown  and  feet  greenish  yellow.  Ordinary  call  a  trilling 
whistle,  also  give  a  low  piping  note  when  feeding;  Dr.  C. 
W.  Townsend  in  his  incomparable  Birds  of  Essex  County, 
Mass,  says;  "  In  Spring  I  have  frequently  seen  them  fly  over 
the  marsh  with  wings  quivering  forcibly  downward,  uttering 
constantly  sweet  tremulo  calls,  —  the  flight  song  of  the  spe- 
cies. "  In  flight  flocks  often  oscillate  from  side  to  side  show- 
ing first  the  dark  backs  then  the  white  under  parts.  The 
most  abundant  of  our  sandpipers,  occurring  more  often  on 
marshes  and  mud  flats  than  on  the  beaches,  sometimes  singly 
but  more  frequently  in  flocks  of  from  three  or  four  to  hun- 
dreds, the  larger  numbers  being  usually  found  in  the  south 
in  winter;  usually  unsuspicious,  allowing  near  approach. 
Breeds  north  of  the  U.S.,  passes  south  in  July  and  Aug. 
often  occurring  in  the  interior  but  chiefly  along  the  coast ; 
winters  from  the  Carolinas  southward  into  S.'  A.  but  not 
common  in  the  U.  S.  at  this  season;  cqmes  north  in  May. 

f.    Dunlin  Sandpipers.    Pelidna. 

Medium  sized  Sandpipers  with  long,  decidedly  curved 
l)ills,  plate  9,  A  ;  otherwise  much  as  in  e. 

1.  RED-BACKED  SANDPIPER,  P.  SAKIIALINA.  8.35; 
bill,  1.50.  Above  red  distinctly  spotted  with  black;  wings 


DIRECTORY   TO    BIRDS    OF    EASTERN   NORTH   AMERICA.          75 

gray;  beneath,  white  streaked  with  dusky,  belly  covered 
with  a  nearly  continuous  patch  of  black.  Winter,  ashy- 
gray  above ;  white  beneath  with  breast  tinged  with  ashy  and 
narrowly  streaked  with  dusky,  plate  9,  A.  Young,  differ  from 
the  last  in  having  the  feathers  of  upper  parts,  especially  of 
the  wings,  margined  with  rufous;  upper  tail  coverts,  bill, 
and  feet  always  black.  A  very  unsuspicious  species  that  oc- 
curs more  often  on  sandy  beaches  than  elsewhere,  some- 
times singly  but  more  often  in  flocks  or  in  company  with 
other  shore  birds.  Call,  a  rather  plaintive,  melodious  note 
sounding  something  like  "  Fur  re  "  ;  when  disturbed  utters 
a  short  chuckling  cry  ;  flight,  ordinary.  N  .A. ;  breeding  f ar 
north ;  goes  south  in  Sep.,  Oct.,  and  Nov. ;  winters  from  the 
Carolinas  southward,  occasionally  remaining  further  north  ; 
comes  north  in  May.  Abundant  on  the  coasts  in  fall ;  rather 
uncommon  in  spring  along  the  Atlantic  coast  north  of  the 
Carolinas. 

2.  DUNLIN,  P.  ALPINA.  Differs  from  1  in  being  smaller 
(7.50;  bill,  1.25  )  and  in  having  less  red  above,  the  black  pre- 
dominating, but  is  more  heavily  streaked  below  with  dusky  ; 
thus  the  black  of  the  belly  is  not  in  as  strong  contrast  with 
the  lighter  parts.  Northern  parts  of  the  Old  World ;  acci- 
dental in  Eastern  N.  A. ;  one  record  for  Mass. 

g.    Curve-billed  Sandpipers.    Erolia. 

Medium  sized  sandpipers  with  long,  slender,  curved, 
bills,  fig.  92,  long  slender  legs  and  short,  nearly  square  tails. 

1.  CURLEW  SANDPIPER,  E.  FERRUGINEA.  8.00;  bill 
1.50;  upper  tail  coverts,  white;  lower  parts,  reddish  chest- 
nut; upper  parts,  varied  with  blackish  and  rusty.  Winter 
and  young  much  as  in  f,  1,  Fig.  92. 

excepting   that    the    upper* 
tail  coverts  are  white.     Old 
World,    occasional    in    east- 
ern N.  A.  and  Alaska;  there ' 

are  a  number  of   N.    E.    re-  Gr,  D.  g,   1. 

cords. 


76  SHORE    r>TTU>S. 

h.    Semipalmated  Sandpipers,,  Ereunetes. 

Differs  from  e  chiefly  in  having  a  proportionately  stout- 
er bill  and  webs  between  the  anterior  toes ;  plate  10. 

1.  SEMIPALMATED  SANDPIPER,  E.  PUSILLUS.  Differs 
from  e,  5  in  being  larger  (6.75  ;  bill,  .75) ;  grayer  above  with 
only  a  slight  tingeing  of  reddish  on  sides  of  head  and  scapu- 
laries  and  no  buff  below  ;  in  winter  there  is  no  buff  anywhere 
and  but  little  above  in  the  young;  bill  and  feet,  always 
black,  plate  10.  An  abundant  species  both  spring  and  fall 
all  along  our  coast,  but  rather  shy  in  frequented  locations, 
yet  quite  unsuspicious  when  not  molested  ;  frequents  sandy 
beaches  rather  than  mud  flats  and  mud  holes  in  the  marsh- 
es, although  it  is  sometimes  found  in  those  places.  Ordina- 
ry call  note  not  unlike  that  of  e,  5  but  rather  more  shrill.  I 
cannot  refrain  from  quoting  Dr.  Townsend's  charming  de- 
scription of  the  spring  notes  as  he  heard  them  at  Ipswich, 
Mass.  He  says;  "  A  harsh  rasping  note  and  a  peeping  note 
are  sometimes  heard.  A  low,  rolling,  gossipy  note  is  often 
emitted  when  they  approach  other  birds.  This  latter  note 
is  often  imitated  with  success  by  gunners.  In  spring,  how- 
ever, the  bird  is  delightfully  musical  on  occasions,  and  his 
flight  song  may  be  heard  on  the  beach  and  among  the  bogs 
of  the  dunes.  Rising  on  quivering  wings  to  about  thirty 
feet  from  the  ground,  the  bird  advances  with  rapid  wing- 
beats,  curving  the  pinions  strongly  downward,  pouring  forth 
a  succession  of  musical  notes,  a  continuous  quavering  trill, 
and  ending  with  a  very  few  sweet  notes  that  recall  those 
of  a  Goldfinch.  He  then  descends  to  the  ground  where  one 
may  be  lucky  enough,  if  near  at  hand,  to  hea'r  a  low  musi- 
cal uc/«c£"from  the  excited  bird.  This  is^  I  suppose,  the  full 
love  song,  and  is  not  often  heard  in  its  entirety,  but  the  first 
quavering  trill  is  not  uncommon,  a  single  bird,  or  a  member 
of  a  flock  singing  thus  as  he  flies  over.  I  have  seen  birds 
chasing  one  another  on  the  beach  with  raised  wings,  emit- 
ting a  few  quavering  notes,  and  have  been  reminded  of  a 
Long-billed  Marsh  Wren.  "  (  Birds  of  Essex  County,  p.  178  ). 


DIRECTORY  TO  BIRDS  OF  EASTERN  NORTH  AMERICA.  77 

Eastern  N.  A.  ,  breeding  north  of  the  U.  S. ;  migrates  south 
from  the  middle  of  July  until  the  first  of  Nov. ;  winters  from 
the  Carolinas  through  the  Bahamas  and  West  Indies  to  S. 
A.  ;  comes  north  in  May.  Stragglers  of  this  species,  of  e.  5 
and  of  f ,  1  are  sometimes  found  all  summer  as  far  south  as 


1.  WESTERN  SANDPIPER,  E.  OCCIDENTALS.  Differs 
from  1  in  having  the  upper  parts  prominently  marked  with 
bright  cinnamon  and  the  breast  with  distinct  streaks  and  tri- 
angular spots  of  dusky,  the  sides  with  arrow-shaped  marks 
of  the  same:  bill,  stouter  and  longer,  about  1.00,  plate  9,  B. 
Breeds  far  north  in  western  N.  A.,  migrates  south  about  the 
same  time  as  1  and  winters  in  the  same  section  ;  common  in 
Fla.  in  winter  and  spring  but  rather  uncommon  further 
north  ;  a  few  occur  along  the  coast  in  autumn  as  far  north  as 
N.  E.  ;  not  found  as  far  north  as  this  in  spring. 

i.    Three-toed  Sandpipers.     Calidris. 

Medium  sized  sandpipers  with  robust  forms,  rather  short- 
stout  bills,  short  legs,  and  feet  with  three  short  toes,  with- 
out  basal  webs,  the  posterior  being  absent,  fig.  93. 

1.  SANDERLING,  C.  ARENARIA.  7.50;  bill,  1.00;  light 
rusty,  palest  on  head,  neck  and  chest  where  it  is  spotted  with 
blackish  on  back  ;  Eig.  93. 

bill  and  under  tail 
coverts,  white  ; 
spot  on  b  e  n  d  of 
wing  and  of  fore 
arm ,  blackish 
and  there  is  a 
white  patch  on 
wing  conspicuous 
in  flight;  win- 
ter ;  pale  gray 
above ;  pure  white 
beneath,  fig.  93. 
Young,  differ  from 
last  in  being  mot-  Gr,  D,  i,  2.  1-8 


78  SHORE    BIRDS. 

tied  with  black  above  and  with  dusky  beneath  ;  bill  and  feet, 
always  black.  Breeds  in  the  arctic  and  subarctic  regions  of 
both  hemispheres;  migrates  south  in  N.  A.  from  the  middle 
of  July  until  the  middle  of  Nov.,  when  it  is  abundant  on  sandy 
beaches  all  along  the  coast,  occurring  singly,  in  flocks  of  va- 
rying sizes,  or  in  company  with  other  beach  birds,  unsus- 
picious at  this  season;  winters  from  the  Carolinas  south  to 
Patagonia ;  goes  north  in  May. 

j.    Tatlers.    Tetanus. 

Slender-bodied  birds  with  large  heads,  long,  slender 
black  bills,  with  rather  wide  gape;  long  greenish  or  yellow 
legs,  long  toes  with  small  basal  webs;  and  long  wings,  fold- 
ing beyond  tip  of  slightly  rounded  tail ;  upper  tail  coverts, 
white  sometimes  barred  with  dusky,  Fig.  94. 

1.  GREATER     FELLOW-LEGS,     T.    MELANOLEUCUS. 
Largest  of  our  species,  14.00;  bill,  2.25;  blackish-gray  above 
streaked  and  spotted  with  yellowish  white;  white  beneath, 
streaked  on  lower  neck  and  breast  with   dusky  and  banded 
on  sides,  axilliaries,  and  under  wing  coverts  with  the  same. 
Occurs  on  marshes  and  mud  flats  where  it  makes  itself  con- 
spicuous by  its  loud,  clear  whistle  which  is  given  very  fre- 
quently ;  also  occurs  in  fresh  waters ;  flight  steady  with  long 
wing  beats,  varied  with  intervals  of  sailing;  in  alighting  the 
bird  sails,  then  suddenly  alights  by  dropping  its  long  legs ; 
when  down  it  often  raises  its  wings  perpendicularly  over  its 
back,  as  do   some  other  of  the  shore  birds;  besides  the  call 
note  it  gives  a  kind  of  scream  in  spring  something  like  that 
emitted  by  the  Common  Tern  and  a  rolling,  or  scolding  note. 
Common  on  the  coast  and  not  infrequent  in  the  interior  near 
water.     Breeds  in  northern  N.  A.  ;  migrates  south  from  July 
15  to  Nov.   15 :   winters  from  the  Carolinas  southward  near- 
ly all  over  S.  A. ;  comes  north  in  April  and  May. 

2.  LESSER   YELLOW-LEGS,  T.   FLAVIPES.     Generally 
similar  to  1;  differs  in  being  much  smaller  (  10.25;    bill, 
1.45  ),  in  having  the  head  always  ashy  and  with  more  indis- 


DIRECTORY   TO    BIRDS    OF   EASTERN    NORTH   AMERICA.         79 

tinct  dusky  markings  below,  fig.  94.    Call,  not  very  different, 
from    1.    but   less   prolonged  and  Fig.  94. 

with  less  volume;  habits  also  simi- 
lar but  this  species  is  always  unsus-, 
picious.  Breeds  far  north  in  N.  A. ; 
migrates  south  from  July  1  to  Sep. 
15  when  it  is  common  along  the 
coast  and  not  infrequent  in  the  in- 
terior; winters  in  southern  S.  A., 
rare  in  Fla.  at  this  season  (Lake 
Jessup,  Feb.  20,  1901,  five  speci- 
mens); migrates  north  in  April 
and  May,  rare  at  this  season  on  the 
Atlantic  coast,  abundant  in  the 
Mississippi  Valley. 

3.     GREENSHANKS.    T.    NEB- 
ULARIUS.     Differs  from  1  in  having 
the  lower  back  and   rump   pure         G,  D,  f ,  2..  1-5 
white  without  markings.     Eastern  nemisphere,  breeding  far 
north ;  accidental  in  Florida.  (  near  Cape  Sable,  Audubon  ). 

k.  Fresh-water  Tatlers.  Helodromas. 
Differs  from  j  in  having  the  bill  more  slender  and  never 
Fig.  95.  upcurved,  dark  legs* 

shorter  wings  not  fold- 
ing beyond  tip  of  tail, 
and  dark  upper  tail 
coverts,  fig.  95. 

1.  SOLITARY 
SANDPIPER,  II.  sol- 
ITARIUS.  8.50;  bill, 
1 .25  ;  dark  greenish 
slate  above  finely 
marked  with  white; 
tail,  broadly  banded 
Gr,  D,  k,  1.1-4  with  white  (  except- 

ing middle  feathers  which  are  spotted  on  sides  with  white) ; 


8O  SHORE  BIRDS. 

white  beneath,  distinctly  streaked  on  lower  neck,  breast, 
sides,  and  beneath  wings,  with  dusky;  bill,  greenish  black; 
feet,  dark  greenish.  Winter,  more  ashy  above  and  less  dis- 
tinctly marked  with  white  above  and  dusky  below.  Young, 
lighter  slate  above  marked  with  buffy  white;  throat  and 
breast  very  indistinctly  marked  with  ashy-buff  Common, 
usually  occurring  singly  about  pools  or  small  ponds  of  fresh 
water,  but  sometimes  two  or  three  are  found  together;  un- 
suspicious. Teters  somewhat  when  sitting  but  not  as  much 
as  in  p  1.  Note,  a  rather  loud  whistling  "peet"  repeated  four 
or  five  times  when  the  bird  is  on  the  wing.  Flight,  rather 
rapid,  not  very  direct;  wings  kept  high  and  their  beats  are 
strong.  Breeds  occasionally  in  northern  U.  S.  but  more  com- 
monly further  north  ;  migrates  south  in  Aug.,  Sep.,  and  Oct. ; 
winters  in  the  extreme  southern  states,  the  West  Indies  and 
northern  S.  A. ;  comes  north  in  April  (  Bahamas,  rare  )  and 
May. 

2.  GREEN  SANDPIPER,  T.  OCHROPUS.  Differs  from 
1  in  being  a  little  larger  (  10.00;  bill  1.35  )  ,  and  in  having  the 
middle  tail  feathers  broadly  banded  with  white,  and  the  up- 
per tail  coverts  pure  white.  Places  its  eggs  in  the  aban- 
doned nest  of  some  tree-building  bird.  Northern  parts  of 
the  Old  World;  accidental  in  Eastern  N.  A. 

1.    Semipalmated    Tatlers.    Symphemia. 

Differ  from  j  in  being  stouter  with  shorter,  thicker  bills, 
dark  legs,  toes  well  webbed  basally,  white  unhanded  upper 
tail  coverts,  and  white  marked  wings.  Size,  large,  fig.  96. 

1.  WILLET,  S.  SEMIPALMATA.  14.00;  bill,  2.25;  above, 
brownish  buff ,  varied  with  dark  brown;  large- white  patch 
on  wing;  axilliaries  and  wing  lining,  dull  black,  both  of 
these  latter  characteristics  prominent  inflight;  white  be- 
neath, pale  buff  on  breast  and  sides  and  here  streaked  and 
banded  with  dusky ;  bill,  brown;  feet,  plumbeous,  fig.  96. 
Winter,  differs  in  having  no  dark  markings  above  or  below. 
Young,  have  the  feathers  above  margined  with  yellowish  and 
the  sides  are  tinged  with  it  and  finely  mottled  with  grayish 


DIRECTORY   TO   BIRDS    OF   EASTERN   NORTH    AMERICA.       81 

Downy  young,  brownish-gray  above,  irregularly  and  coarse- 
ly marbled  with  dusky,  dull  white  beneath;  four  or  more 
Fig.  96. 


G,     D,  1.  1.  1-4. 

dusky  lines  on  sides  of  head.  A  noisy  bird  constantly  cry- 
ing "  Pillie  -willie  ivillet  "  in  loud,  shrill,  tones;  also  gives  a 
loud,  rasping  cry,  and  a  chuckling  note  when  alighting. 
Social,  usually  occurring  in  flocks  of  three  or  four  to  a  dozen 
or  more ;  feeds  on  mud  flats  but  sometimes  occurs  on  sandy 
beaches ;  sometimes  perches  on  dead  limbs  of  trees ;  flight 
quite  slow  but  direct ;  wing  beats  strong  and  well  down,  not 
rapid.  Breeds  from  K.  J.  south  to  Fla.  and  irregularly  north 
to  N.  E. ;  resident  and  all  winter  from  the  Carolinas  south- 
wrard.  Uncommon  on  the  coast  of  Mass,  in  fall  and  rare  in 
spring. 

m.    Fighting  Sandpipers.    Pavoncella. 
Large  stout  sandpipers  the  males  of  which  are  remark- 
able in  having  a  cape  of  elongated  feathers  about  the  neck 
and  a  ruff  on  the  back  of  the  upper  neck ;  face  naked  and 
covered  with  papillae.     Noted  for  their  pugnacity,  fig.  97. 


0-5  SHORE  BIJiDS. 

1.  RUFF,  P.  PUGNAX.  11.00;  bill,  1.25;  colors,  very 
variable,  above  varied  with  black,  buff,  and  gray;  ruff  and 
cape  either  chestnut,  buff,  black,  or  whitish,  streaked,  plain 
or  barred  ;  beneath,  white;  sides  of  rump  white,  fig.  97. 
Female,  without  ruff  and  cape;  plumage  barred  with  black- 
ish, white  and  rusty,  face  feathered.  Young,  brownish-black 


Fig.  97. 


above  with  the  feathers  bor- 
dered on  back  with  buff  and 
streaked  on  head  with  reddish ; 
white  beneath,  becoming  buffy 
anteriorly.  More  northern 
parts  of  eastern  hemisphere ;  oc- 
casional in  east ern  IL  S.,  but 
chiefly  on  the  coast, 
n.  Highland  Sandpipers. 
,  Bartramia. 

Rather  large  sandpipers 
that  live   on  the  uplands,  with 
short,  slender  bills  with  a  very 
wide  gape,  enabling  the  birds  to 
swallow  locusts   and   other  in- 
sects upon  which  they  feed; 
neck,  long  and  thin ;  tail,  very        GS-,     D,    m,     1.     1-5. 
long  ;  outer  toes  slightly  webbed,  inner  not  at  all,  other  char- 
acters much  as  in  e,  fig.  98. 

1.  BARTRAMIAN  SANDPIPER,  B.  LONGICATJDA.  12.00; 
bill,  1.10.  Brownish-buff  above,  varied  with  reddish  and 
spotted  and  barred  with  blackish;  tail,  buff,  tipped  with 
white  and  somewhat  banded  with  spots  of  black ;  beneath 
buffy-white  banded  on  under  wing  coverts  and  axillaries 
and  spotted  with  arrow  shaped  marks  on  neck,  breast  and 
sides  with  dusky-brown,  fig.  98.  Young,  differ  in  being 
more  yellowish  above  and  the  secondaries  and  inner  prima- 
ries are  tipped  with  white.  Downy  young,  grayish-white,, 
tinged  with  rusty  coarsely  and  irregularly  mottled  with 
dusky;  beneath,  buffy-white,  spots  on  flanks  and  on  sides  of 


DIRECTORY    TO    BIRDS  OF    EASTERX    NORTH    AMERICA.  8& 

head,  black,     Breeds  through  eastern  and  central  N.  A.  from 


Fig.  98. 


Penn.  north  to  Quebec 
in  suitable  places. 
The  call,  note  is  very 
musical  and  bubbling 
and  is  almost  invaria- 
bly given  as  the  bird 
flies.  I  not  infrequent- 
ly hear  it  here  in  New- 
ton as  the  bird  flies 
over  my  house  during 
migrations,  sometimes 
in  th e  n  i  g  h  t  ;  if  d i  s- 
turbed  when  breeding  O,  D,  n,  1.  1-6. 

it  utters  harsher  cries ;  and  when  alighting  emits  a  chuckling 
sound.  Frequents  the  hill  tops  near  the  coast  especially  in 
the  autumn,  but  sometimes  occurs  on  the  marshes  both  in 
N.  E.  and  further  south ;  goes  south  in  Sep.  to  winter  in 
northern  S.  A. ;  comes  north  in  April  and  May. 

o.    Buffy  Sandpipers.    Tryngites. 

Rather  small,  slender  sandpipers  with  shorter  tails  than 
in  n,  and  with  bill  more  slender,  otherwise  quite  similar. 

1.    BUFF-BREASTED  SANDPIPER,  T.  SUBRUFICOLLIS. 


Fig.  99. 


1-3. 


8.00;  bill,  .80;  grayish- 
buff  above  mixed  with 
blackish ;  buff  beneath 
somewhat  spotted  on 
breast  with  duskv ;  ax- 
illaries,  whit  e,  show- 
ing in  flight ;  lining  of 
wing  and  inner  webs 
of  primaries,  white, 
marbled  with  dusky. 
Young,  differ  in  hav- 
ing the  feathers  bor- 
dered with  whitish. 
Breeds  in  the  far  north- 


84  SHORE    BIRDS. 

ern  interior  of  N.  A.  where  it  is  abundant ;  migrates  south 
in  Aug.  but  on  its  way  south  appears  to  be  nowhere  com- 
mon ;  once  not  very  uncommon  on  the  hills  on  or  near  the 
coast  of  X.  E.  but  now  seldom  seen  there.  Flight,  rapid  but 
rather  flitting.  Call  note,  a  clear  whistle,  given  as  the  bird 
flies.  Winters  in  S.  A. ;  comes  north  in  May  when  very  sel- 
dom, if  ever,  found  on  the  Atlantic  coast. 

p.    Tilting  Sandpipers.    Actitis. 

Small,  rather  short-beaked,  short-legged  sandpipers 
with  outer  toes  conspicuously  webbed,  and  which  tilt  fre- 
quently when  moving  on  the  ground,  fig.  100. 

1.  SPOTTED  SANDPIPER.  A.  MACULARIS,  7.50;  bill, 
.95 ;  white  beneath  marked  with  rounded  spots  of  dusky ; 
broad  band  through  under  side  of  wing,  conspicuous  in 
flight,  white;  above,  ashy-brown,  glossed  with  greenish, 
banded,  streaked,  and  spotted  with  dusky ;  bill,  yellowish- 
brown  ;  feet,  yellow ;  tail,  tipped  with  white  and  outer  feath- 
ers banded  with  same,  fig.  100.  Winter,  differs  in  being 
without  dusky  markings  above  (  excepting  on  wing  coverts), 
and  below.  Young,  differ  from  last  in  having  buff  bandings 
on  wings  and  tail.  Downy  young,  yellowish-gray  above  with 
a  narrow  black  line  down  back  and  one  on  either  side  of 
head  ;  white  beneath.  Breeds  throughout  temperate  N.  A. 
nesting  both  on  the  Fig.  100. 

coast  and  in  the  inte- 
rior; common.  Flight 
direct,  but  slow,  wing" 
beats  short  and  jerky, 
the  wing  tips  being 
held  below  the  level  of 
the  body;  in  passing 
over  water  it  is  apt  to 
fly  close  to  the  surface. 
Call  note,  "  Feet  -wcet 
iveet  weet  "  ,  rather> 
shrill,  but  quite  mu- 
sical. Rather  solitary, 
or  at  best  found  in  Gr,  D,  p,  1.  1-4. 


DIRECTORY   TO   BIRDS    OF    EASTERN    NORTH   AMERICA.        85 

small  companies  in  autumn,  but  never  flying  in  compact 
flocks.  Goes  south  in  late  Oct.  but  some  remain  into  Nov.  as 
far  north  as  Mass. ;  winters  sparingly  from  the  Carolinas  to 
Fla. ;  common  from  this  point  and  on  the  Bahamas,  south- 
ward to  southern  Brazil;  comes  north  in  late  April, 
q.  Godwits.  Limosa. 

Large,  sandpiper-like  birds  with  very  long,  somewhat 
recurved  bills,  long  pointed  wings  which  fold  beyond  the 
end  of  the  short,  square  tail;  legs,  long;  toes,  somewhat 
webbed,  fig.  101 

1.  MAKBLED  GODWIT,  L.  FEDOA.  18.50;  bill, 
4.00 ;  pale  cinnamon  throughout ;  streaked  on  head  and  neck 
and  irregularly  barred  and  spotted  elsewhere  (  excepting  on 


Fig.  101. 


throat  and  abdomen  ) 
with  dusky-brown, fig. 
101.  Young,  differ  in 
being  more  reddish 
and  in  having  no 
markings  beneath. 
Breeds  in  the  interior 
from  Iowa  and  Nebras- 
ka, northward  to  Man- 
itoba and  the  Sas- 
katchewan, when 
it  occurs  on  the  dry 
prairies;  migrates 
south  in  Aug.  and  Sep. 
accidental  or  rare 
then  on  the  Atlantic  Gr,  D,  q,  1.  1-6. 

coast  from  Mass,  to  the  Carolinas;  formerly  wintered  com- 
monly in  nothern  and  middle  Fla.  on  both  coasts,  now  rarely 
if  ever  found  there,  but  occurs  in  Guatemala  and  Yucatan. 
In  spring  it  gives  a  series  of  shivering  notes;  in  winter,  when 
alarmed,  utters  harsh  and  discordant  cries.  Occurs  on  the, 
borders  of  pools,  both  salt  and  fresh,  and  on  mud  flats  in 
flocks  from  a  few  individuals  to  hundreds,  as  in  Fla.  up  to 


8G  SHORE    BIRDS. 

1877  and  probably  somewhat  later,  sometimes  associates  with 
other  shore  birds ;  Fig.  102. 

comes  north  in  April. 

2.  HUDSONIAN 
GODWIT,  L.  HAEMAS- 
TICA.    15.00;  bill,  3.00; 
upper  tail  coverts,   al- 
ways pure  white ;  and * 

tail,  black.     Head  and 

neck,  pale  chestnut, 
streaked  with  dusky ; 
b  e  neath  b  r ight- 
er  chestnut,  barred 
with  dusky;  back,5"' 
blackish,  marked  with  Gr,  D,  q,  2.  1-6. 

buff.  Winter,  back  brownish-gray  ;  head,  neck,  and  beneath 
grayish-white,  grayish  anteriorly.  Young,  differ  from  last 
in  being  buffy  throughout.  Breeds  in  eastern  N.  A.  but  far 
north ;  migrates  south  in  Aug.  and  Sep.  when  it  is  rare  on 
the  coast  of  N.  E. ;  not  common  anywhere ;  winters  in  ex- 
treme southern  S.  A. ;  comes  north  in  April  and  May.  Fre- 
quents mud  flats  and  sloughs.  Note,  low  and  double. 

3.  BLACK-TAILED    GODWIT,    L.     LIMOSA.      Differs 
from  1  in  having  two  white  wing  patches,  one  at  base  of  pri- 
maries and  one  occupying  most  of  the  secondaries,  both  con- 
spicuous in   flight.      Northern    portions    of    eastern    hemi- 
sphere, accidental  in  Greenland. 

r.    Curlews.    Numenius. 

Large,  rather  stout  birds  with  long,  strongly  curved 
bills,  long  wings,  folding  beyond  tip  of  square  tail,  short, 
stout  legs,  and  toes  with  basal  membranes.  Color,  pale  or 
reddish-buff  more  or  less  marked  with  dusky ;  figs.  103  to  105. 

1.  LONG-BILLED  CURLEW,  N.  LONGIROSTRIS.  Larg- 
est of  our  Curlews,  24.00;  bill,  3.00  to  8.00;  pale  cinnamon, 
decided  reddish  below  and  on  axillaries,  marked  above  with 


DIRECTORY    TO    BIRDS    OF    EASTERN   NORTH   AMERICA.        87 

blackish  and  streaked  below  on  neck,  breast,  and  sides  with 
Fig.  103. 


G,    D,    r,    1.    1-8. 

the  same;  bill,  brown,  yellow  at  base  of  lower  mandible; 
feet,  brown ;  no  buffy  central  or  supercilliary  stripes  on 
head ;  axillaries,  unbanded,  fig.  103.  Downy  Young,  buffy 
yellow,  darker  above  tinged  with  sulphur  yellow  beneath, 
coarsely  and  irregularly  marbled  above  with  black ;  bill? 
straight.  Breeds  through  the  interior  of  temperate  N.  A. 
north  into  the  British  Provinces ;  at  this  season  frequents 
alike  dry  prairies  and  moist  situations ;  migrates  southward 
in  Sep.,  when  formerly  was  not  uncommon  on  the  coast  of 
X.  E. ;  now  probably  never  occurs  there ;  winters  largely  in 
Guatemala;  formerly,  up  to  1877  and  somewhat  later,  was 
abundant  at  this  season  from  the  Carolinas  to  middle  Fla., 
now  none  occur  in  this  section,  nor  is  it  probable  that  it  is 
very  common  anywhere ;  comes  north  in  April.  Note,  a  shrill 
whistle  sounding  almost  like  a  scream,  also  utters  a  mellow, 
undulating  whistle  as  it  flies.  Flight,  slow  with  long  rather 
sweeping  wing-beats. 


88 


SHORE    BIRDS. 


2.     HUDSONIAN  CUKLEW,    N.    HUDSONICUS.     Differs 
from  1  in  being  smaller,  17.00;  bill,  3.50;  in  being  paler,  in 


Fig.  104. 


having  a  distinct 
central  line  of  buff 
on  head  and  a  su- 
perciliary line  of 
the  same,  and  the 
axillaries  banded 
with  dusky;  inner 
webs  of  primaries, 
spotted  with  red- 
dish on  their  edges, 
fig.  104.  Breeds  far 
north  in  N.  A.  mi_ 
grating  south  in 
Aug.  at  which  time 
it  is  not  uncommon 
on  the  coast  of  G,  D,  r,  2.  1-8. 

Mass,  and  southward,  sometimes  remaining  until  the  mid- 
dle of  Sep. ;  winters  south  of  the  U.  S.  occurring  at  that  sea- 
son all  over  S.  A.,  Call  note,  a  clear,  rather  shrill  whistle. 
Flight  not  unlike  that  of  1. 

3.      ESQUIMO    CURLEW,   K.    BORKALIS.      Smallest  of 
our  Curlews,  13.50;  bill,  2.25;  differs  from  2  in  color,  in  the 
Fig.  105.  absence   of    the 

central  line  of 
buff  on  crown,  in 
having  the  mark- 
ings- on  the  sides 
arrow  shaped, 
and  in  having 
the  inner  webs  of 
primaries  with- 
out light  spot- 
t ings  ,  fig.  105. 
Breeds  far  north 
in  eastern  N.  A. 
G,  D,  r,  3.  1-8.  migrating  south 


DIRECTORY    TO    BIRDS    OF    EASTEKX    NORTH    AMERICA.        89 

in  Aug.  when  was  abundant  on  the  coasts  of  the  British 
Provinces  and  rare  further  south  ;  formerly  abundant  on  the 
N.  E.  coast  at  this  season,  but  has  been  gradually  diminish- 
ing since  the  early  70's  and  is  now  very  rare;  winters  in 
southern  S.  A. ;  comes  north  in  April,  when  it  avoids  the  At- 
lantic coast  and  is  abundant  in  the  Mississippi  Valley  and 
westward  on  the  Plains.  Note,  a  soft,  mellow  whistle,  given 
as  the  bird  flies.  Moves  in  large,  close  flocks,  sweeping 
about  much  as  sandpipers  do  ;  flight,  swift ;  wing  beats  regu- 
lar and  not  rapid.  This  species  now  appears  to  be  very  rare 
everywhere  even  north  of  N.  E.  and  in  the  Mississippi  Valley 
in  spring. 

4.  WHIMBREL,  N.  PHAEOPUS.  Much  like  2,  but  the 
rump  is  plain  white,  and  the  axillaries  are  white  banded 
with  grayish-brown.  Northern  parts  of  Old  World;  occa- 
sional in  Greenland. 

C.    PLOVER.    Charadriidae. 

Differ  from  B  in  being  stouter  in  form,  in  having  a  short- 
er, harder,  bill,  and  in  having  the  tarsus  in  front  covered 
with  small  hexagonal  or  irregular  scales.  Excepting  in  a 
and  b  the  hind  toe  is  absent,  figs.  106  to  110. 

a.    Vanellus.    Crested  Plover. 

Head,  crested ;  upper  plumage  with  metallic  luster ;  hind 
toe,  present.  Plover-like  birds  found  mostly  in  the  Old 
World. 

1.  LAPWING,  V.  VANELLUS.  13.00;  bill,  1.00;  top 
and  fore  part  of  head,  chin,  throat  and  breast,  blue-black ; 
back,  metallic  green,  bluish  and  purple;  upper  tail  coverts, 
rufous;  tail,  black  with  basal  half  and  tip,  sides  of  head, 
neck  and  belly,  white ;  lower  tail  coverts,  rufous.  Winter, 
differs  in  having  the  chin  and  throat  white  and  the  sides  and 
head  tinged  with  buff.  Active,  noisy  birds.  Northern  parts 
of  the  eastern  hemisphere ;  occasional  in  Greenland  and  on 
Long  Island, 

b.    Four-toed  Plover.    Squatarola. 

Large  plover  with  large  heads,    rather  long  bills,  long 


90 


SHOKE  BIRDS. 


legs;  a  short  hind  toe  and  with  the  three  anterior  provided 

with  a  basal  mem-  Fig.  106. 

brane ;  summer  adults 

l.ight    above,    black 

beneath ;      axillaries, 

always    black  ,    fig. 

106. 

1.     BLACK-BEL- 
LIED    PLOVER,    S.  j 

SQUATAROLA.  1.00;  I 

bill,  1.25  ;  lower  parts  /^ 
and  sides     of   head, 
black;   forehead* 
sides     of  the   breast? 
upper  and   under  tail ' 
coverts,  white:    up- 
per parts,  irregularly  Gr,       B,     b,     1.     1-8. 
spotted  with  dusky  and  whitish  ;  bill    and    feet,  black,   fig. 
106.     Young,  grayish  above,  most  of  the  feathers  edged  with 
whitish;    white  beneath,   tinged  and  mottled  with  grayish 


Fig.  107. 


on  breast.  Young, 
differ  from  last  in 
having  the  back 
spotted  with  pale 
yellow ;  basal  half  of 
inner  portion  of  in- 
ner webs  of  prima- 
ries, white,  contrast- 
ing inflight  with  the 
black  axillaries. 
Breeds  in  the  north- 
ern portion  o  f  t  h  e 
northern  hemi- 
sphere; migrating 
southward  in  N.  A. 


1,  1-8. 


DIRECTORY    TO    BIRDS  OF    EASTERN    NORTH    AMERICA.  91 

from  the  middle  of  July  to  Nov.  1 ;  winters  from  the  Caroli- 
nas  and  Bahamas  south  through  the  West  Indies  to  Brazil 
and  Colombia;  comes  north  in  May ;  common  on  the  coast 
but  rather  rare  in  the  interior.  Frequents  beaches  but  is 
sometimes  seen  on  the  mud  flats.  Note,  a  wild,  sweet  doub- 
le whistle,  also  gives  a  chuckling  note  when  alighting. 
Flight,  swift  and  strong  with  rapid  wing  beats.  Occurs  sin- 
gly or  in  small  flocks. 

c.     Golden  Plovers.    Charadrius. 
Smaller  than  in  b  ;   bill  more  slender;  legs  as  long  as  in 
b,  but    more    slender;  hind  toe,    absent;    axillaries,    never 
black,  otherwise  much  as  in  b,  fig.  107. 

1.  GOLDEN  PLOVER,  C.  DOMINICUS.     10.50;  bill,  .85; 
sides  of  head,  chin,  and  throat,  and  lower  parts,  dull  black ; 
above,  dusky  spotted  with  bright  ochre  yellow  ;  forehead, 
line  over  eye,  sides  ©f  neck,  and  breast,  pure  white;  axillar- 
ies gray;  bill  and  feet,  black.     Winter,  differs  in  being  gray- 
ish   below   obscurely   marked   with   bands  of   spots   across 
breast,  fig.  107.     Young,  similar  to  last  but  more  yellowish 
on  breast.     Breeds   in  Arctic   America ;  migrates   south    in 
Aug.  and  Sep.  at  which  time  it  is  common  on  the  coast  of 
the  British  Provinces  and  rare  in  N.  E.,  where  up  to  the  ear- 
ly seventies  it  was  common,  frequenting  .the  hills  along  the 
shore,  now  the  greater  number  fly  directly  south  from  New- 
foundland to  the  West  Indies,  on  the  way  to  their  winter 
quarters  in    southern   S.  A. ;  comes  north    in  May   passing 
through  the  interior  and  is  then  common  in  the  Mississippi 
Valley  and  on  the  plains  west  of  it.     Note,  a  single  mellow 
whistle.     Flight,  about  as  in  b,  1. 

2.  GOLDEN  PLOVER,    C.     APRICARIUS.     Differs  from 
1  in  having  the   axillaries    and  under   wing   coverts    white. 
Breeds  in  northern  Europe  and  eastern  Greenland. 

c.  Double-ringed  Plovers.    Oxyechus. 
Medium  sized,  slender  plovers  with  very  long,  rounded 
tails,  and  moderately  long  bills;  wings  folding  well  within 
the  tip  of  tail ;  a  well  defined  ring  crosses  breast  and  another 
broader  one  surrounds  neck,  fig.  108. 


92  SHOKE    BIRDS. 

1.     KILLDEER  PLOVER,  O.  VOCIFERA.   10.00;  bill  .75  ; 
ashy-brown     above  ;  Fig.  108. 

upper  back,  rump,  and 
upper  tail  coverts,  pale 
cinnamon ;  tail,  pale 
cinnamon,  ashy  cen- 
trally, tipped  with 
white  and  cinnamon 
which  is  preceded  by 
a  black  band ;  t  i  p  s  of 
secondaries,  small 
patch  on  primaries, 
edge  of  inner  webs  of 
primaries  and  second-  Gr«  B,  C,  1.  1-3. 

aries,  lunette  on  forehead,  spot  over  eye,  and  under  parts, 
white;  narrow  line  over  lunette,  broad  line  on  side  of  head, 
and  rings,  black,  fig.  108.  Young,  with  slight  indications  of 
reddish  on  edge  of  feathers  above  ;  bill,  black  ;  feet,  yellow  ; 
eyelids,  red,  in  all  stages.  Downy  young,  ashy  above,  mixed 
with  rufous;  black  on  head  much  as  in  the  adult,  but  the 
bands  meet  behind;  white  beneath  with  a  single  black  band 
surrounding  neck.  A  noisy  bird,  constantly  crying  "  Kill- 
dee  "  in  loud  and  shrill  tones  as  it  flies.  Flight,  rapid,  not 
direct  for  the  bird  twists  and  turns,  wing  beats,  quick  but 
long  and  decided.  Frequents  moist  places,  either  on  the 
coast  or  in  the  interior,  sometimes  on  sea  beaches  or  on  bod- 
ies of  fresh  water.  Often  squats  to  hide  when  approached, 
then  rises  suddenly  with  loud  cries.  Somewhat  nocturnal, 
flying  readily  by  night.  Breeds  throughout  temperate  N.  A. 
but  is  not  common  in  IS".  E.  at  any  time.  *  Goes  south  in  Oct. 
and  Nov.  to  winter  from  the  Carolinas  southward  to  north- 
ern S.  A. ;  not  common  in  the  Bahamas  and  Greater  Antil- 
les ;  comes  north  in  March  and  April. 

d.  Single-ringed  Plover.    Aegialitis. 

Small  sized,  rather  stout  plovers  with  short  bills,  short, 
slightly  rounded  tails,  wings  folding  at  tip,  and  short  legs; 
•with  single  ring  on  neck  ;  sexes,  similar,  fig.  109. 


DIRECTORY   TO    BIRDS    OF    EASTERN    NORTH   AMERICA.        93 


PLOVER,     A.        SEMIPALMATA. 

Fig.  109. 


1.  SEMIPALMATED 
7.00;  bill,  .50;  ring 
completely  encircling 
neck  ;  grayish-brown 
above,  but  paler  than 
in  c,  1 ;  lunette  on 
forehead,  outer  tail 
feathers  and  tips  of  all 
but  centra]  pair  and 
beneath,  white ;  wide 
band  on  top  of  head, 
extending  around  eye 
on  to  ear  coverts  and 
over  forehead  (  thus  G9  B,  d,  1.  1-3. 

including  white  lunette  ),  neck  ring,  spot  on  middle  sub- 
terminal  portion  of  tail,  black;  bill,  yellow-orange  at  base; 
feet,  yellow,  fig.  109.  Winter,  black  markings  replaced  by 
brownish.  Young,  differs  from  last  in  having  the  feathers 
of  back  margined  with  light  buff.  Downy  young,  grayish- 
brown  above  mottled  with  black  ;  lunette,  collar  on  back  of 
neck,  and  beneath,  white.  Breeds  in  arctic  and  subarctic 
America,  migrating  south  from  the  middle  of  July  until  the 
middle  of  Oct.  when  it  is  abundant  along  the  coast  and  not 
uncommon  in  suitable  places  in  the  interior;  winters  from 
southern  Fla.  and  the  Bahamas  south  through  the  West  In- 
dies to  Brazil;  comes  north  in  April  and  May  when  it  is  less 
common  on  the  Atlantic  Coast.  A  common  beach  bird  and 
also  found  in  sloughs  and  on  mud  flats  ;  very  social,  associa- 
ting in  flocks  of  varying  sizes  ;  upon  the  ground  scatters  much, 
running  about  in  all  directions,  keeping  the  head  well  up ; 
these  two  latter  named  habits  characterize  all  Plovers ;  flight, 
swift  and  direct,  with  rather  long  wing  beats.  Call  note  a 
rather  plaintive  double  whistle,  also  gives  a  single  prolonged 
note  when  sitting. 


SHORK    BIRDS. 


2.  RING  PLOVER,    A.  HISTICULA.     Differs  from   1  in 
having  the  ring  much  broader.     Breeds  in  the  northern  parts 
of  the  Old  World  and  in  North  America  on  the  west  shore  of 
Cumberland  Gulf. 

3.  PIPING  PLOVER,  A.   MELODA.     Palest  of  our   Plo- 
ver.    About  the 

size  of  1 ;  differs 
in    being   much  - 
paler  above,   in 
having  no  black 
on  sides  of  head 
and  that  ou  top  . 
reduced   to    a-J; 
small,     inverted 
lunette,     the: 
neck  ring  is   re-  ^1 
presented  by  two 
spots   on    either  Gr,   E,  d,  3.  1-3. 

side  of  breast  but  does  not  often  extend  wholly  across  breast ; 
there  is  an  oblique  patch  on  primaries  and  the  base  of  tail  is 
white,  fig.  110.  Downy  young,  above,  yellowish  ash  mixed 
with  rufous;  white  beneath.  Breeds  from  the  coast  of  Vir- 
ginia to  Newfoundland  in  June;  migrates  south  in  Aug.  and 
Sep. ;  winters  on  the  Florida  Keys  and  Greater  Antilles ;  mi- 
grates north  from  middle  April  (when  it  is  rare  on  the  Baha- 
mas) through  May.  Common,  but  rare  now  on  the  coast  of 
Mass,  in  summer.  Note,  a  long,  sweet,  mournful  whistle. 
Often  associates  with  1  and  has  similar  habits. 

3*.  BELTED  PIPING  PLOVER,  A.  M.  CIRCUMCINTA. 
Differs  from  3  in  having  the  band  across  breast  continuous, 
Mississippi  Valley,  breeding  from  northern  111.  north  to  Lake 
Winnipeg,  more  or  less  frequent,  but  chiefly  during  migra- 
tion, eastward  to  the  Atlantic  coast. 

e.  Large-billed   Plovers.    Oohthodromus. 

Differ  from  d  in  having  a  much  larger,  longer  bill,  longer 
legs,  and  in  the  sexes  not  being  similar,  plate  11  A. 


DIRECTORY    TO    BIRDS    OF    EASTERN   NORTH   AMERICA.        95 

1.  WILSON'S  PLOVER,  C.  WILSONINUS.  8.00;  bill/ 
.90;  male,  forehead,  superciliary  stripe,  and  beneath,  white; 
fore  part  of  crown,  streak  from  bill  to  eye  and  continuous 
band  on  breast,  black  ;  light  ashy-brown  above ;  wings  and 
tail,  much  as  in  d,  3.  Female,  differs  in  having  the  black  re- 
placed by  brownish-gray  with  more  or  less  light  rusty  on 
breast  ring.  Young,  differs  from  female  in  having  the  feath- 
ers above  bordered  with  lighter.  Downy  young,  pale  gray- 
ish buff  above  spotted  with  black,  forehead,  sides  of  head, 
collar  on  hind  neck,  hand  of  wing,  and  beneath,  white;  spot 
behind  eye,  black,  plate  11,  B.  Breeds  from  Long  Island 
southward  through  the  Bahamas  and  West  Indies,  and  along 
the  Gulf  Coast  in  May ;  migrates  south  in  Sep. ;  winters  from 
the  Fla.  Keys  and  the  Bahamas  south  through  the  We-st  In- 
dies to  S.  A. ;  casual  as  far  north  as  Nova  Scotia  in  summer. 
Associate  together  in  small  flocks  or  with  other  small  plovers 
and  shore  birds.  Flight,  rather  heavy.  Call  note,  a  single 
short  but  loud  whistle;  during  the  breeding  season  a  rattling 
cry  is  given.  Very  common. 

f.    Ringless  Plovers.    Podasocys. 

Larger  than  e;  bill,  a  little  shorter  and  much  more  slen- 
der; legs,  much  longer;  no  black  band  on  breast;  sexes  simi- 
lar. 

1.  MOUNTAIN  PLOVER,  P.  MONTANA.  8.50;  bill,  .85; 
similar  in  general  color  to  e,  1,  but  the  black  on  breast  is  re- 
placed by  a  more  or  less  continuous  tingeing  of  slaty-brown  ; 
in  winter  the  black  markings  of  head  are  replaced  by  slaty- 
brown.  Breeds  on  the  Western  Plains  from  Kansas  north- 
ward to  the  British  boundary  in  May;  occurs  on  dry  plains 
and  feeds  largely  on  insects;  migrates  south  in  late  fall  to 
winter  in  central  and  southern  Cal.,  Lower  Cal.,  Texas,  and 
northern  Mexico;  accidental  on  Key  West,  Fla.  Note,  alow, 
pleasing  whistle. 

F.  TURNSTONES.  Arenariidae. 

Medium  sized  birds  with  short  bills,  pointed  and  hard  at 
tip;  wings  long,  folding  beyond  tip  of  short,  slightly  rounded 


96  SHORE    BIRDS. 

tail;  legs,  very  short;  scales  of  tarsus,  continuous  in  front, 
hexagonal  behind  ;  toes,  four  and  unwebbed ;  upper  tail  cov- 
erts, white,  fig.  111. 

a.  Turnstones.  Arenaria. 

Characters,  as  above. 

1.  TUBNSTOKE,  A.  INTERPRES.  9.50;  bill,  85;  fore, 
head,  middle  and  lower  back,  wing  band,  upper  tail  coverts, 
all  of  tail,  and  lower  parts,  white ;  large  patch  on  breast,  ex- 
tending along  heck  to  sides  of  head,  Y-shaped  mark  on  rump, 
and  subterminal  band  on  tail,  black  ;  upper  parts,  varied  with 
black  and  reddish,  fig.  111.  Winter,  less  reddish  above. 
Young,  wholly  without  rufous  above ;  white  markings  always 
conspicuous  in  flight.  Breeds  in  high  northern  latitudes  of 
both  hemispheres  ;  migrates  southward  in  Aug.,  Sep.,  and 
Oct.,  when  it  is  common  on  the  Atlantic  coast  and  on  the  bor- 
ders of  large  bodies  of  water  in  the  interior ;  winters  from  the 
Carolinas  south  through  S.  A.  to  the  Straits  of  Magellan ; 
comes  north  in  April  and  May.  Frequents  sandy  and  stony 
beaches,  where  it  turns  over  small  stones,  seaweed,  etc.,  in 
search  of  food,  whence  its  name.  Occurs  in  flocks  of  from 


Fig.  111. 


G,  F,  a,  1.  1-5. 


three  or  four  to 
thirty  or  more. 
Call  note,  a  clear 
melodious  whis- 
tle, consisting  of 
two  or  three 
notes,  also  gives 
a  chuckling 
sound.  Flight, 
moderately  swift 
and  direct  with 
strong  wing- 
beats.  Less  com- 
mon on  the  At- 
1  anti  c  coast 
north  of  the  Car. 
olinas  in  spring 
than  in  autumn. 


PLATE  8. 


B 


HEADS  OF  SANDPIPERS:  A,  PECTORAL;  B,  BAIRD'S. 


DIBKCTOKY    TO    1UKDS    OF    EASTEKX    NOKTH    AMERICA.       97 

GK  Oyster-Catchers.    Haematopoidae. 

Large  birds,  black  and  white  or  wholly  black,  with  long 
strongly  compressed  bills  bright  red  in  color,  short  legs 
wholly  covered  with  irregular  scales,  with  three  unwebbed 
toes  ;  wings  folding  at  tip  of  slightly  rounded  tail.  Sexes, 
similar,  fig.  112. 

a.  Oyster-Catchers.     Haematopus. 

Characters  as  above. 

1.  AMERICAN  OYSTER-CATCHER,  II.  PAI.LIATUS. 
19.00;  bill,  3.25  ;  head  and  neck  all  around,  sooty  black;  up- 
per parts,  slaty-brown ;  large  patch  on  wing,  upper  tail  cov- 
erts, and  beneath,  white;  bill  and  eyelids,  carmine;  feet, 
pale  pink,  fig.  112.  Young,  with  the  feathers  above  bor- 
dered with  pale  buff;  black,  duller.  Downy  young,  grayish 
above,  palest  on  head  ,fine-  Fig.  112. 

ly    mottled     with     dusky ; 
white  beneath.    Breeds  on 
the  Atlantic  coast  from 
N.  J.  southward;  formerly 
wintered  from  the  CarolL 
nas  south   to  Patagonia, 
now  rare  on  the   Atlantic 
coast  at  this  season ;  acci- 
dental   along  the  coast  to- 
Grand  Menan.     Frequents^ 
sandy  beaches   and   mudr 
flats  feeding  largely  upon 
oysters.    Flight,  slow,  but 
direct,   with  slow,   strong 
wing-beats.   Note,  a  harsh, 


G-,   G,  a  1.  1-10. 


discordant  scream.     Not  now  very  common  on  the  Atlantic 
coast  of  the  U.  S. 

2.  OYSTER-CATCHER,  H.  OSTRALEGUS.  Differs  from 
1,  in  being  smaller,  16.00;  and  in  having  the  white  of  upper 
tail  coverts  extended  to  lower  back.  Europe,  and  parts  of 
Asia  and  Africa ;  occasional  in  Greenland. 


98  SHOKE  BIRDS. 

H.  SPOONBILLS    -AJVI> 


Large  birds  with  long  bills,  long  necks  and  long  legs  ; 
the  wings  are  broad,  the  secondaries  being  Considerably 
lengthened  and  are  as  long  or  longer  than  the  primaries  in 
the  closed  wing;  tail  short;  hind  toe  quite  well  developed 
and  on  a  level  with  the  anterior  toes  which  are  more  or  less 
webbed  at  base;  body  stout  and  compact.  Aquatic,  fre- 
quenting mud  flats  and  muddy  shores  of  both  salt  and  fresh 
water.  Food,  crabs,  crayfish,  and  other  small  crustaceans 
also  small  fishes.  Flight,  direct  and  rapid  with  quick  wing 
beats;  the  neck  is  extended  and  the  feet  held  straight  out 
behind.  Nests,  placed  in  trees,  composed  of  sticks.  Social, 
often  gathering  in  large  flocks.  Cries,  harsh  and  unmusical. 

A.  SPOONBILLS.    Plataleidae. 
Bill,  flattened,    greatly  broadened  and  spoon-shaped  at 
the  end  ;  only  slightly  curved  at  tip  ;  head  and  portion  of  neck 
naked.     Eggs,  2-4,  ashy-white  spotted  and  mottled  with  pale 
reddish-brown.     Sexes,  similar,  fig.  113. 

o,    American  Spoonbills.    Ajaja. 

Characters  as  above. 

I.     EOSEATE  SPOONBILL,  A.  AJAJA.  30.00;  bill,  6.00; 
r  o  s  e-p  ink  through-  Fig.  113. 

out,  lightest  on 
neck  ;  carmine  on  re- 
c-urved  feathers  of 
neck,  patch  on  wing, 
and  upper  and  u 
der  tail  coverts  ;  tail, 
brownish  orange  ; 
naked  head,  green  ; 
space  around  eye  and  s 
throat,  orange,  line 
on  side  of  head, 
black;  bill,  bluish;  U,  A,  o*  1-1-20- 

feet,  pinkish  ;   iris  carmine,  fig.  113.     Young,  differs  in  hav- 


DIRECTORY   TO   BIRDS  OF    EASTERN   NORTH   AMERICA.          99 

ing  the  head  feathered  and  in  being  much  paler  in  color, 
without   the  carmine  markings.     Resident  in  the  southern 
Atlantic  and  Gulf  states  and  the  Bahamas,  southward  to  Pat- 
agonia.    Common  in  the  wilder  sections. 
B.    IBISES.    Ibididae. 

Bill,  slender  and  curved  for  its  whole  length.  Eggs  sim- 
ilar to  A. 

a.     Naked-faced  Ibises.    G-uara. 
Forepart  of  head,  naked;  feathers  of  crown,  short,  blen- 
ded and  with  rounded  tips.  Eggs,  greenish  or  grayish-white, 
spotted  with  pale  brown,  fig.  114. 

1.  WHITE  IBIS,    G.    ALBA.      24.00;    bill,   5.25;  white 
throughout ;    tips  of  Fig.  114. 

four  outer  primaries, 
black  glossed  with 
green;  bill,  naked 
space  about  head, 
and  feet,  yellow;  iris, 
blue,  fig.  114.  Young, 
head,  neck,  and 
above,  slaty-brown,  H,  B.  a  1.  1-4. 

glossed  with  greenish,  lower  back,  rump,  upper  tail  coverts, 
and  beneath,  white;  top  of  head,  wholly  feathered,  Resident 
in  Florida  and  other  Gulf  States,  Greater  Antilles,  and  north- 
ern S.  A. ;  migrating  north  in  summer  to  N.  C.  and  111. ;  cas- 
ually to  Long  Island  and  Conn. 

2.  SCARLET  IBIS,  G.    RUBRA.     29.00;  bill  6.00;  bright 
scarlet  throughout ;  tips  of  three   or  four  primaries,    glossy 
blue-black.     Young,  dark  brownish-gray ;  belly,  white.    Res- 
ident on  eastern  coast  of  tropical  America ;  accidental  in  Fla., 
La.,  and  Texas. 

b.    Crested  Ibises.    Plegadis. 

Head,  wholly  feathered,  excepting  in  front  of  eyes,  elon- 
gated on  crown  and  lanceolate,  forming  a  short  crest.  Eggs, 
greenish-blue  unspotted,  fig.  115. 


1OO  SHORE   BIRDS. 

1.  GLOSSY  IBIS,    P.    AUTUMNAKTS.     23.00;  bill,   5.00; 
head,  neck,  lesser  wing    coverts,  and  beneath,  dark  chest- 
nut; above,   metallic   green,  Fig.  115. 
bronze,  and  purple ;  space  in  front 

of  eye,  greenish.  Bill  and  feet, 
brown,  fig.  115.  Young,  grayish- 
brown  with  head  and  neck  streak- 
ed with  white.  Downy  young, 
blackish  throughout ;  broad  white 
band  crossing  crown.  Warmer 
parts  of  eastern  hemisphere ;  not 
uncommon  in  extreme  southern 
portion  of  eastern  U.  S. ;  wander- 
ing casually  as  far  north  as  N.  E. 
and  111. ;  accidental  in  the  greater 
Antilles. 

2.  WHITE-FACED  GLOSSY 
IBIS,  P.  GUARAUNA.  Differs  from 

1  in  having  the  feathers  at  base         H9   B,  b,  1.  1-16. 
of  bill  white,  and  the  space  in  front  of  eye,  lake-red.   Downy 
young,  without  white  on  crown.  Western  U.  S.  south  to  the 
Argentine  Republic;  occasionally  breeding  in  Fla. 

I.    HERONS.   Herodiones. 
Wading  birds  with   lo^.g  legs  and  necks,    long,   pointed 
bills ;  space  in  front  of  eye,  naked ;  wings,  broad  ;  tail,  short ; 
toes,  long  with  the  nail  of  the  middle  one  comb-like ;  fig.  116 ; 
portion  of  plumage  of  breast  and  sometimes  of  the  sides  of 
rump,  shortened  and  greatly  modified,  forming  the  powdered 
down  patches ;  these  feathers  break  up  into  oily  particles 
and  have  a  strong  odor  and  falling  upon  the  water  may  serve 
Fig.  116.  to  attract  fishes.     Flight,  strong  with 

comparatively  slow  wing-beats,  the 
neck  is  doubled  backward,  the  bill 
held  straight  forward  and  the  legs 
extended  behind,  fig.  117,  small  fig- 
ure. Food,  mainly  fishes  (sometimes 
I»  A,  a,  1.  crabs  and  other  crustaceans  and 


DIRECTORY   TO    BIRDS    OF 


NORTH   AMSRICA. 


1O1 


small  mammals)   which  are  secured  by  being  grasped  in  the 
bill.       Ciies,  harsh  and   unmusical.    'Young*    rwiked  when 
hatched  but  are  soon  covered  with    down  ;  "  helpless  and  are* 
fed  by  regurgitation. 

A.    BITTERNS.    Botauridae. 

Tail  feathers,  ten,  not  stiffened  ;  no  plume-like  feathers 
on  head  or  body  ;  lower  neck  behind  destitute  of  feathers, 
fig.  117. 

a.  Striped  Bitterns.  Botaurus. 

Oesophagus,  modified  during  the  breeding  season  into  a 
sound-producing  organ.  Sexes,  similar.  Young,  not  strik- 
ingly different.  Nests,  placed  on  the  grouud,  usually  in 
fresh-water  bogs  ;  eggs,  3-6  ;  greenish-ash  or  brown.  Never 
gregarious  even  when  breeding. 

1.  AMERICAN  BITTERN,  B.  LKNTIGINOSUS.  28.50; 
bill,  3.00;  above  dark  brown  sprinkled  and  spotted  with  yel- 
lowish ;  beneath,  and  Fig.  117. 

on  sides  of  head  and  .  V 
neck,  pale  yellowish  %1 
broadly  streaked  with 
yellowish-rufous   and 
dusky  ;  triangular 
patch  on  side  of  neck,  ^ 
black  ;    iris,   yellow  ; 
bill  and  feet  greenish, 
fig.  117.    Young,  sim- 
ilar but  somewhat  pal- 
er.   Nestlings,  covered 
with   long,  yellowish  ?; 
down.  Breeds  through- 
out temperate  N.  A.;  T,    A,   a,   1.  1-20. 

usually  nests  in  inaccessible  fresh  water  bogs  but  occasion- 
ally breeds  on  salt  marshes  ;  migrates  south  in  Oct.  ;  winters 
from  Fla.  southward  to  Guatemala  ;  comes  north  in  April. 
Common.  When  not  breeding  frequents  alike  fresh  and  salt 


102 

marshes ;  when  alarmed  it  will  often  squat  amid  the  grass  or 
will  even  enter  the  water  leaving  only  the  bill  exposed;  at 
other  ciinesr  it  will  sta&'d  perfectly  motionless  with  the  body 
and  neck  perpendicular  and  the  bill  pointed  upward,  thus  re- 
sembling a  stajke.  Cries,  when  started,  harsh  and  sharp  ;  dur- 
ing the  breeding  season  (May  and  June)  the  singular  oesoph- 
agal  notes  are  given ;  the  bird  treads  down  a  portion  of  the 
grass  in  a  bog  upon  which  it  stands  with  bill  pointed  upward 
and  air  is  taken  into  the  gullet  in  several  audible  gulps  then 
this  ejected  rather  forcibly,  producing  two  sounds,  the  first 
single,  the  second  double,  sounding  like  "  Punk  a-pog  "  ; 
when  uttering  these  notes  the  bird  bows  its  head  up  and 
down.  (  For  a  detailed  account  of  the  vocal  organs  see  May- 
nard's  Contributions  to  Science,  Vol.  1,  1889,  pp  59-68.) 

b.    Little   Bitterns.    Ardetta. 

Oesophagus  not  modified  to  produce  sound.  Sexes  not 
similar.  Young,  somewhat  different.  Nests,  placed  in  reeds, 
high  grass,  or  bushes,  never  on  the  ground ;  eggs,  3-4 ;  pale, 
greenish-blue.  Size,  small;  often  breeds  in  scattering  com- 
munities, otherwise  solitary;  fig.  118. 

1.     LEAST  BITTERN,  A.    EXILIS.     13.00;  top  of   head, 
back,  and  tail  black,  glossed  with  greenish  ;  wings,  brown  ; 
Fig.  118.  stripe  on    side   of   head,    sides   of 

neck}  and  markings  on  wing 
chestnut ;  upper  wing  coverts,  and 
beneath,  buffy-yellow,  mixed  with 
white;  spot  on  si,d^s  of  breast, 
brown;  naked  space  in  front  of 
eye,  bill,  and  feet,  yellowing.  118. 
Temperate  N.  A. ;  breeding  in  east- 
er^  U.  S.  from  Mass.  (  where  it  is 
.not  commpn  )  to  Fla.  (where  it  is 
abundant ) ,  in  May  and  June ;  mi- 
v  grates  s^uthin  ^arJy.Sep. ;  winters 
I,  A,  b,  1,  1-6.  from  Fla.  south  to  Brazil,  rare  in 

the  Bahamas  and  West  Indies ;  comes  north  in  May. 


DIRECTORY    TO    BIRDS    OF    EASTERN    NORTH    AMERICA. 

2.  CORY'S  LEAST  BITTERN,  A.  NEOXEXA.  Differs 
from  1  in  having  the  lower  parts  uniform  reddish-chestnut 
and  in  being  darker  above.  Southern  Fla. ;  Ontario ;  Mich. ; 
rare. 

B.    HERONS.    Ardeidae. 

Tail  feathers,  twelve  stiffened.  Either  head,  lower  neck 
in  front  or  back,  and  sometimes  all  three  provided  with 
plume-like  feathers  in  the  breeding  season,  absent  in  adults 
at  other  times  and  in  the  young.  Lower  neck  behind  quite 
well  feathered.  Sexes  similar.  Nests,  placed  in  trees,  com- 
posed of  sticks;  eggs,  3-5,  greenish-blue.  Flight,  direct; 
wing-beats,  slow.  Usually  gregarious  when  breeding,  fig* 
119. 

a.    Large  Herons.    Ardea. 

Size,  large.  Head,  neck,  and  back  plumes,  present,  lance- 
olate ;  barbs  not  spreading  nor  elongated.  Neck  and  legs, 
long.  Solitary  when  not  nesting,  fig.  119. 

1.       GREAT    WHITE     HERON,     A.     OCCIDENTALS. 
Large,  47.00;  bill,  6.50;  pure  Fig.  119. 

white  ;  bill  and  iris,  yellow ; 
feet  and  space  in  front  of  eye, 
greenish.  Occurs  on  the  low, 
mud-bordered  Fla.  Keys ;  no- 
where very  common  ;  rare  in 
the  interior  of  the  state  as  far 
north  as  Lake  George ;  acci- 
dental in  Cuba  and  Jamaica. 
Breeds  in  March,  nesting  on 
low  trees. 

2.  WURDEMAN'S  HERON 
A.  WURDEMANI.  Size  of  1 ; 
differs  i  h  being  bluish  ash 
above,  in  having  streaks  of 
black  on  sides  below,  streaks 

of  black  and  rufous  on  neck  I,  fi,  a.  3.  1-12. 

in  front,  and  bend  of  wing,  and  tibia,  chestnut;  top  of  head, 


104 


SHORE    BIRDS. 


white  with  forehead  streaked  with  black.      Resident  on  Fla. 
Keys ;  rare. 

3.  WARD'S  HERON,  A.  WARDI.  Slightly  smaller 
than  2;  differs  in  having  the  lower  parts  more  broadly 
streaked  with  black  with  a  large  black  patch  on  sides  of 
"breast,  and  the  occiput  with  its  plume  and  sides  of  head, 
black,  leaving  the  middle  of  the  crown  and  forehead  white ; 
neck,  yellowish-gray,  fig.  119.  Young,  with  top  of  head,  dull 
slate ;  neck  darker  and  marked  with  reddish ;  back  marked 
with  reddish.  Resident  in  Fla.,  breeding  in  March,  nesting 
usually  on  high  trees. 

4.  GREAT  BLUE  HERON,  A.  HERODIAS.  Differs 
from  3  in  being  smaller,  45.00;  bill,  5.50,  and  in  usually  hav- 
ing more  black  below.  Breeds  throughout  entire  N.  A.  from 
the  Arctic  regions  southward,  excepting  possibly  Fla.,  Ba- 
hamas and  the  West  Indies,  nesting  in  high  trees;  migrates 
southward  in  Sep.,  Oct.,  and  Nov. ;  winters  from  the  Caroli- 
nas  southward  to  northern  S.  A. ;  occasionally  as  far  north  as 
Mass. ;  comes  north  in  March  and  April.  Common. 

5.  EUROPEAN  BLUE  HERON,  A.  CINEREA.  Differs 
from  4  in  being  smaller,  37.00;  bill,  4.80,  and  in  having  the 
bend  of  wing  and  tibia  white.  Northern  portions  of  eastern 
hemisphere;  accidental  in  southern  Greenland. 

b.  Plumed  Herons.  Fig.  120. 

Herodias. 
Size    medium.     Back, 
plumes,  greatly  elongated, 
reaching  beyond  end    of 
tail,  straight,   stiffened 
with  barbs  separated  and 
lengthened;     head    and 
breast  plumes  absent,  fig. 
120.     Color,  always  white.  -! 
Wing-beats  rather  slow. 
Gregarious  at  all  times. 

1.  WHITE  HERON,  H.  I,  Bt  b,  1.  1-30. 

EGRETTA.     38.00 ;  bill,  4.00 :  iris,  pale  yellow;  bill,  orange; 


DIRECTORY    TO    BIRDS    OF    EASTERN    NORTH    AMERICA.   1O5 

feet,  black,  fig.  120.     Breeds  through  temperate  and  tropical 
America  from  X.  J.,  Minn.,  and  Oregon  south  to  Patagonia; 
casually  on  the  Atlantic  coast  as  far  north    as   Nova  Scotia. 
Now  not  common  anywhere  in  the  U.  S. 
c.  Egrets.    Garzetta. 

Size,  small ;  head,  breast,  and  back  plumes  well  developed 
with  separated  and  lengthened  barbs  which  are  more  or'less 
recurved  at  tips,  fig.  121.  White  in  color.  Wing-beats,  rap- 
id. Nests,  placed  in  low  trees.  Gregarious  at  all  times. 

1.  SNOWY  EGRET.  G.  CANDIDISSIMA.  23.75;  bill,  3.70; 
bill  and  legs,  black;  feet,  and  space  at  base  of  bill,  orange; 
iris,  yellow,  fig.  121.  Tern-  Fig.  121. 

perate   and  tropical  Amer- 
ica from  N.  J.  south  to  the 
Argentine    Republic    and 
Chili ;  casually  as  far  north 
as  Nova  Scotia.     Now  not 
common    anywhere  in  the ' 
U.  S. 
d.    Dichromic  Egrets. ' 

Dicliromanassa. 

Size,  medium.  Back 
plumes  well  developed  with 
separated,  lengthened,  I,  B,  c,  1.  1-8. 

straight,  stiffened,  barbs;  head  and  neck  without  plumes  but 
are  provided  with  lengthened,  lanceolate,  slightly  curled 
feathers.  Color,  white,  reddish  or  mixed.  Wing-beats, 
about  as  in  I).  Nests,  placed  in  low  trees. 

1.  REDDISH  EGRET.  D.  RTJFA.  30.00;  bill,  4.00;  plain 
slate-gray;  head  and  neck  rufous  tinged  with  violet;  bill, 
black  with  basal  half  and  space  in  front  of  eye,  bright  pur- 
ple :  iris,  white;  feet,  blue-black.  Young,  plain  grayish, 
tinged  with  light  rusty.  Resident  in  southern  Fla.  main- 
ly on  the  extreme  southern  and  western  coasts  west  along 
the  Gulf  coast  to  Texas  and  both  coasts  of  Mexico  and  Guat- 
emala ;  Andros,  Bahamas ;  in  summer  wandering  north  to 


106 


EGBETS. 


southern  111.  recorded  from  Cuba  and  Jamaica :  now  rare  in 
the  U.  S.  Breeds  in  May. 

1*.  CHANGING  EGRET,  D.  R.  MUTATA.  Differs  from 
1  in  having  the  plumage  irregularly  mixed  with  white. 
Young,  similar  to  1  or  possibly  occasionally  mottled  with 
white.  Not  rare  on  west  coast  of  Andros,  Bahamas,  casual 
in  Fla.  Breeds  in  May.  ( See  birds  of  Eastern  North  America, 
Revised  Edition,  1896. ) 

2.  PEALE'S  EGRET,  D.  PEALEI.  Differs  from  1  in  be- 
ing pure  white  throughout.  Resident  in  southern  Fla. 
mainly  the  east  coast,  west  along  the  Gulf  coast  to  Texas, 
Honduras  and  both  coasts  of  Guatemala ;  Andros  and  Inagua, 
Bahamas;  recorded  from  Cuba.  Breeds  in  Feb.  (Inagua); 


April  and   May  (An- 
dros,   and  Fla.  )  . 
e.  J>amsel    Egrets. 
Hydranassa. 

Slender  herons 
with  long,  slender 
bills  and  necks.  Head 
plumes,  rather  short^ 


Fig.  122. 


?SSi 


barbs,   separated ;  neck  j 
plumes  lengthened  and  = 
lanceolate;     back 
plumes,  long,  with  sepa-  I,    B,   e,   1.     1-6. 

rated  barbs,  soft  and  hair-like.  Wing-beats,  rapid,  fig.  122. 
1.  LOUISIANA  HERON,  H.  KUFICOLLIS.  25.50;  bill, 
3.75  ;  above,  ashy-blue  tinged  with  chestnut-fed;  occipital 
plumes  and  line  down  neck  in  front  rufous,  and  white;  back 
plumes,  yellowish-ash;  beneath,  pure  white;  iris,  rosy-red, 
bill  and  space  in  front  of  eye,  cobalt-blue,  tip  of  former,  black  ; 
feet,  dark-plumbeous,  fig.  122;  in  winter  iris,  bill  and  feet  are 
greenish,  becoming  yellow  towards  spring.  Young,  much 
tinged  with  reddish  on  neck  and  wings.  Resident  in  the  Gulf 
States,  Mexico,  Central  America,  Bahamas,  and  the  West  In- 
dies;  casual  northward  to  N.  J.  and  Ind.  Breeds  in  May, 
placing  its  nests  in  low  trees.  Common  and  u^nspioious. 
Solitary  when  not  mating. 


PLATE  9. 


HEADS  OF  SANDPIPERS:  B,  WESTERN;  A,  KED-BACKED. 


DIRECTORY    TO    BIRDS  OF    EASTERN    NORTH    AMERICA.      1O7 

f.    Blue  and  White    Herons.    Florida. 

Rather  small  herons  with  lanceolate  plumes  on  neck  and 
back  and  slightly  filamentous  ones  on  head.  Colors,  blue 
and  white,  fig.  123.  Gregarious  at  all  times,  but  solitary  in- 
.dividuals  are  not  infre-  Fig.  123. 

quently  seen  in  winter. 

LITTLE  BLUE 
HERO1S,  F.  CAKRULA. 
21.75;  bill,  3.25;  dark 
slaty-blue ;  head  and 
neck,  maroon,  more  or 
less  tinged  with  bluish, 
fig.  123.  This  is  the 
usual  p  1  u  m  a  g  e,  but  % 
some  specimens  are 
white  with  tips  of  pri-  I,  B,  f,  1.  1-8. 

maries  bluish,  while  others  occur  in  all  stages  of  mixed  dress 
between  the  white  and  blue.  Young  always  white  with  tips 
of  primaries  bluish,  without  the  plumes.  Iris,  yellow,  bill, 
black;  basal  half,  space  in  front  of  eye,  and  feet,  greenish. 
Eastern  U.  S.  f rom  N.  J.,  111.,  and  Kan.  southward  through 
the  Bahamas  (where  not  common),  the  West  ladies  to  north- 
ern S.  A. ;  casually  north  on  the  Atlantic  coast  to  Mass,  and 


124. 


Me ;  winters  from  the  Carolinas 
southward.  An  agile  species^ 
springing  into  air  very  quickly 
a.nd  flying  with  rapid  wing-beats. 

g.  Green  Herons. 
Butorides. 

Small,  rather  short-legged 
herons,  with  compact,  lanceolate 
head  and  back  plumes.  Back, 
green  or  brown,  fig.  124. 

1.  LITTLE  GBEEN  HER- 
ON, B.  VIRESCENS.  17.50;  bill, 
2.25 ;  top  of  head  and  back,  green- 


1O8  HERONS. 

ish  (looking  dark  in  the  living  bird  when  seen  at  a  distance); 
neck,  chestnut-red  with  line  down  middle  in  front,  of  mixed 
black  and  white;  beneath,  brownish  slate;  iris  and  bill,  yel- 
low; bill  and  space  in  front  of  eye,  brown  and  yellow,  fig.  124 
Young,  more  or  less  marked  with  reddish  above.  Breeds 
through  temperate  N.  A.  southward  to  Fla.  and  southern 
S.  A.  A  very  agile  species  springing  into  air  quickly  and  fly- 
ing with  rapid  wing-beats.  Note,  a  rather  shrill  cry  fre- 
quently repeated  several  times.  Common,  frequenting  the 
swampy  margins  of  rivers  and  ponds  where  it  breeds,  plac- 
ing its  nest  in  low  trees  or  bushes,  sometimes,  as  among  the 
Florida  Keys,  at  the  base  of  mangroves  near  the  ground. 
Rather  solitary,  but  sometimes  associating  in  scattered  com- 
munities to  breed.  Winters  from  the  Carolinas  southward, 
h.  Night  Herons.  Nycticorax. 

Medium  sized,  quite  robust  herons  with  thick  bills,  short 
legs,  and  large  eyes;  no  elongated  plume  feathers  excepting 
two  or  three  long  and  narrow  ones  on  back  of  head,  fig.  125. 
Colors,  whitish  or  ashy  with  top  of  head  and  back  black. 
Largely  nocturnal  in  habit. 

1.     BLACK-CROWNED   NIGHT    HERCXN,  N.    NAEVIUS 
25.00;  bill,  3.00:  ashy-white,  darkest  above;  top  of  head  and 


back,  black  glossedwith  green- 
ish; bill,    blackish;    feet,   yel- 
low;   eyes,     carmine,  fig.   125. 
Young,  the     second  year  lack 
the  white  head  plumes  and  are 
much    tinged  with    rufous 
above,  the  black   showing  only 
in   patches.      Young,  the  first 
year   are  streaked  throughout;: 
with      yellowish-white    a  n  d  j 
brownish,  fig.  125,  small  figure. 
America  as  far  north  as  Mani-  : 
toba   and    Ontario  and  as  far- 
south  as  the  Falkland  Islands 
and  eastward  through  the  Ba~ 


Fig.  125. 


I,  B,  h,  1. 


DIRECTORY   TO    BIRDS    OF    EASTERN    NORTH   AMERICA.     1O9 

hamas  and  the  West  Indies,  breeding  over  most  of  its  range ; 
migrates  southward  in  late  Oct.  to  winter  from  the  Carolinas 
southward,  occasionally  remaining  as  far  north  as  Mass. 
Comes  north  in  April.  Common.  Flight  rather  slow  w  ith 
quite  slow  wing-beats.  Although  nocturnal,  may  often  be 
found  feeding  by  day,  especially  when  breeding,  frequenting 
salt  marshes  and  inland  waters.  Cry,  a  harsh,  abruptly  giv- 
en '  qaaivk"  uttered  in  flight,  and  some  guttural  sounds  best 
heard  on  the  breeding  grounds.  Social  at  all  times,  roosting 
in  companies  by  day  and  feeding  together  by  night.  Nesting 
time  from  March  (Fla.)  to  June  (Northern  N.  E.). 

i.    Thick-billed  Nigbt  Herons.    Nyctanassa. 

Differs  from  h  in  having  the  bill  thicker,  both  head  and 
back  plumes  and  the  top  of  head  and  back  without  a  black 
patch,  fig.  126 

1.  YELLOW-CROWNED  NIGHT*HERON,  N.  VIOL  ACE  A. 
23.00;  bill,  3.00;  differs  from  h,  1  in  being  darker  in  all  plu- 
mages, ashy-blue  in  adults,  streaked  with  black  above,  with 
crown  and  sides  of  head,  Fiff.  126. 

yellowish,  fig.  126.     Young 
are  darker  than  in  h,  1,  the 
prevailing    color  above 
very  dark   greenish-brown, 
streaked  with  lighter. 
America  from  the  Carolinas 
and  the  lower   Ohio   YalJey 
south  to  Brazil  and  Peru, 
casually  north  to   Mass. 
Breeds  in  April.     Cry,  simi- 
lar to  that  of  h,  1,  but  not  as 
harsh  and  is  less  seldom  giv- 
en.    Often  feeds  by   day;  a  I,    B.  i,   1.     1-8. 
large  portion  of  its  food  consists  of  crabs.     Somewhat  social 
when  breeding,  often  nesting  in  small  communities,  but  more 
solitary  at  other  times.     Flight,   quite  rapid,   with   rather 
quick  wing-beats. 


no 


WOOD    IBISES. 


JT.     STORKS.     Ciconiae. 

Large,  stout  birds  with  necks,  legs  and  bills  quite  long1, 
head  and  a  portion  of  neck  often  destitute  of  feathers.  Hind 
toe  not  much  elevated.  Young,  helpless. 

A.    WOOD  IBISES.    Tantalidae. 

Bill,  longer  than  head,  stout  at  base,  strongly  curved  at 
tip ;  head  in  adults  destitute  of  feathers  and  covered  with 
scale-like  projections  of  the  skin.  Under  tail  coverts  pro- 
jecting beyond  tail.  Colors,  mostly  white  with  primaries  and 
tail  black. 

a.    Wood  Ibises.    Tantalus. 
Characters  as  above,  iig.  127. 

1.      WOOD     IBIS,     T.    LOCULATOK.      43.00;   bill,    8.00; 
white,  primaries  and  tail  glossy,  greenish-black  with  a  bronze 
iridescence;  under  wing   coverts,  pinkish   in  breeding  plu- 
mage;   bill,    and    nakfcd  Fig.  127. 
skin    of  head,  blackish, 
neck,  covered  with  whit- 
ish scales,  legs  and  tarsus, 
black,  feet   yellow;  iris, 
brown,   fig.    127.     Young, 
head  and  neck  mostly 
covered   with   grayish- 
brown  feathers,  and  body 
plumage  dull.    Nestlings,,) 
purewhite.     Southern 
U.  S.    north  to  the  Ohio 
Valley,  south  to  the  Ar- 
gentine Republic ;  has  oc- 
curred  casually  in  Pa, 
and  N.   Y.     cries  harsh 
and    discordant.     Nests, 
composed   of  sticks  and                 «T9  A,  a,  1.     1--10. 
placed    in   trees    in  swamps.      Eggs,  1  or  2,    chalky-white,, 
sometimes  faintly  spotted  with  reddish,  they  are  deposited 
in  April  in   Fla.,    a  little  later  further   north.      During  the 


DIRECTORY   TO   BIRDS    OF    EASTERN   NORTH   AMERICA.      Ill 

breeding  season  and  in  summer  the  species  is  social  and  fre- 
quents ponds  and  pools  in  marshes,  swamps  and  in  the  pine 
woods,  but  in  winter  are  apt  to  live  in  thick  swamps,  and 
are  then  more  solitary  ;  in  flight,  head  and  neck  outstretched, 
wing-beats,  slow,  at  all  seasons  rise  high  in  air  and  circle 
about  for  a  long  time.  Perch  on  trees,  especially  at  night. 
Common.  Has  occurred  in  Mass. 

K.     CK-AJVES.     Grues. 

Differ  from  «T  in  having  the  hind  toe  smaller  and  eleva- 
ted; front  portion  of  head  only  (  in  our  species  )  destitute  of 
feathers.  Nests,  placed  on  the  ground  in  fresh-water  marsh- 
es; eggs,  one  or  two,  yellowish-brown.  Young,  leave  the 
nest  early  and  follow  the  parents.  Not  very  social. 

A.    CRANES.    Gruiclae. 

Characters  as  above. 

a.    Grus.    Crying  Cranes. 

Head  destitute  of  feathers  on  front  part  and  covered  with 
a  scaly  skin.  Emit  loud,  harsh,  continuous  gobbling  cries. 
Many  species  dance  with  half  raised  wings. 

1.  SANDHILL  CRANE,  G.  MEXICANA.  41.00;  bill,  5.00; 
slaty-blue  throughout,  primaries,  broVnish ;  bill  and  feet, 
Fig.  128. 


K,    A,  a,  1.    1-4. 

black ;  naked  space  about  head,  lake ;  iris,  ruby-red,  fig.  128 
Young,  more  or  less  tinged  with  yellowish  above ;  iris,  yellow 


112  CRANES. 

Southern  portion  of  N.  A.  Rather  common  in  Fla.,  frequent- 
ing marshy  places  in  the  pine  woods  and  elsewhere.  Shy 
and  difficult  to  approach. 

2.  WHOOPING  CRANE,  G.  AMERICANA.  52.00;  bill, 
5.50;  white,  primaries,  black.  Young,  yellowish;  otherwise 
as  in  1.  The  wing-beats  of  both  species  are  slow,  and  in 
flight  the  neck  and  head  are  outstretched.  Both  species  soar 
liigh  in  air  much  as  in  J~,  A,  a,  1. 

L.      CRYING    JBXRDS.     ^T-ami. 

Based  upon  the  Limpkin,  A.  GIGANTEUS,  the  chief  char- 
acters of  this  order  are;  Bill,  much  longer  than  the  large 
head  ;  neck,  long ;  wings,  rather  long,  folding  nearly  to  tip  of 
short  tail,  broad  with  ten  primaries,  the  outer  of  which  is 
•curved  inward  and  enlarged  at  the  terminal  end  and  is  much 
shorter  than  the  others;  secondaries  broad,  and  the  inner  are 
as  long  as  the  primaries.  The  tendon  of  the  lesser  pectoral 
muscle  is  ossified  along  the  coracoid.  Tibia,  naked  for  half 
its  length ;  tarsus  and  toes,  long  with  reticulated  scales. 
Feathers  of  body,  especially  above,  broad  and  large.  Tongue, 
long  and  slender;  trachea,  in  adult  males,  convoluted  into 
three  or  four  whorles  near  the  middle  ;  sternum,  narrow  with- 
out indentations  on  posterior  margin.  For  other  internal 
structure  see  Maynard,  Birds  of  Eastern  N.  A.  in  both  edi- 
tions, and  Contributions  to  Science,  Vol.  III.  Colors,  brown 
with  arrow-shaped  marks  of  white,  fig.  129.  Sexes,  similar. 

A.    COUKLANS.    Aramidae. 

Characters  as  above. 

a.    Limpkiiis.    Aramus. 

^te 

Characters  as  under  L. 

1.  LIMPKIN,  A.  GIGAXTEUS.  26.00;  bill.  4.50;  brown, 
more  or  less  glossed  with  purplish  above,  each  feather  of 
body  and  neck  marked  with  an  arrow-shaped  stripe  of  white; 
throat  white;  bill,  feet  and  iris,  brownish.  Young,  duller, 
with  narrower  stripes.  Nestlings,  black.  Fla.,  Greater  An- 
tilles and  Central  America.  Common.  A  noisy  bird  with 
partly  nocturnal  habits,  that  occurs  on  the  borders  of  swamps. 


,  A,  a,  1.    1-8. 


DIRECTORY   TO    BIRDS    OF    EASTERN    NOKTII    AMERICA.     1  L3 

Cries,     very   loud    i  nd    discordant;  when    alarmed  gives  a 

chuckling   note,    and  Fig.  120. 

the    head  is  jerked 

back  and  the  tail  held- 

erect;    runs   among 

bushes  with    g  r  en,  t 

swiftness.     Food. 

chiefly  the  animals  oC 

fi  os  h-water  moll  risks. 

Kests,    composed    o  t! 

F  ticks  p laced   i:i 

"bushes  near   water ; 

eggs,  5  to  7,  dull  buff 

spotted    with     brown 

and  grayish.     Flight, 

heavy  with  slow  wring-beats,  the  head  is  out-stretched  and 

the  feet  held  dangling,  fig.  120. 

M.  KAILS,  OALLUNITLKS  ATVI> 
COOT:S.  Ralli. 

•Medium  sized  or  small  birds  with  strong  legs  and  lon«g 
toes,  and  couipressed  bodies  which  enable  them  to  pass 
tli rough  the  herbage  of  marshes  which  they  chiefly  inhabit. 
The  wings  are  short  and  rounded  and  all  of  the  species  are 
poor  flyers,  usually  moving  in  a  straight  line  with  rapid 
win^- beats  and  dangling  legs;  in  alighting  will  drop  to  the 
ground  or  water.  Food,  insects,  aquatic  animals  arid  vegeta- 
ble substances.  Young,  covered  with  down  when  hatched 
and  active. 

A.    TRUE  RAILS.    Rallidae. 

Marsh  birds  with  closely  blended,  rather  stiffened  plu- 
mage, quite  cull  in  color;  toes,  without  lobes.  Nests,  placed 
on  the  ground  in  marshy  places;  eggs,  5  or  more.  Cries, 
harsh  and  craking.  Although  not  strictly  social,  some  species 
live  in  scattering  communities.  Downy  young,  black.  Partly 
nocturnal.  Skulk  in  the  herbage  and  are  difficult  to  start* 
Swim  with  ease,  and  even  rise  from  the  water.  Also  dive  well 
and  cling  to  submerged  vegetation 


114 


BAILS. 


a.    Long-billed  Rails.    Rallus. 

Bill,  longer  than  head,  and  slightly  curved ;  color,  red  01 
reddish  beneath  without  prominent  black  markings,  fig.  130. 

1.  KING  KAIL,  R.  ELEGANS.     18.00;  bill,  2.50;   ashy- 
red  above  distinctly  streaked  with  dark-brown ;  chestnut-red 
on  wing  coverts  and  be-  Fig.  130. 

neath ;  dusky-brown  on 
under   wing  coverts  and 
flanks    banded    with 
white;  throat,  line  from 
bill  to  over  eye,  and   ab- 
domen white;    iris,    bill 
and  feet,   brownish,    fig.  $ 
130.  Eastern  U.  S.,  north  | 
to  the  middle  states  and 
ca  su  all  y  to  Mass.,  Me.  "^jp 
and  Ontario.     Occurs 
usually    on    fresh-water  M,  A,    a,   1.     1-6. 

marshes  but  occasionally  found  on  salt  marshes.     Common. 
Breeds  in  May. 

2.  VIRGINIA  RAIL,  R.  YIKGJNIANUP.  Similar  to  1  but 
smaller,  9.25;  bill,  1.50.     Young,  much  darker,  nearly  black 
in  earlier  stages.    N-  A.  from  the  British  Provinces  south  to 
the  Gulf  of  Mexico.      Migrates  southward  in  early  Oct.  to 
winter  from  the  Carolinas  to  Guatemala  ;  occasionally  found 
jn  Cuba;  comes  north  in  early  April.     Common,  frequenting 
bushy   marshes.     Breeds  in  early  June.     Besides  the   harsh, 
rail-like  craking  rapidly  given,  it  gives  a  chucklin'gnote  when 
slightly  alarmed  and  a  sharp  squeak  when  much  annoyed 
The  downy  young  keep  up  a  constant  peeping  when  running 
about  in  the  marshes. 

3.  CLAPPER  RAIL,  R.  CEEPITANS.     14.00;    bill,   2.25; 
Differs  from  1  in  being  bluish-ash  above  indistinctly  streaked 
with  greenish-brown ;  reddish  of  wings  and    ben  ath    paler 
tinged  with  bluish  on  breast ;  dusky  of  lower   parts   bluish; 
throat,  creamy;  line  in  front  of  eye,  reddish,  fig   131.    Atlan- 


DIRECTORY   TO    BIRDS  OF    EASTERN   NORTH   AMERICA.       115 

tic  and  Gulf  coasts  of  the  U.  S.  north  to  C^nn.,  casual  in 

Mass.  ;  Resident  from  the  Fig.  131. 

Potomac   southward. 

B  r  e  e  ds  in  March    and 

April.  Abundant.  Notes. 

the  usual  rail-like  crake 

and  a  harsh  scream  when 

annoyed. 

3*.  LOUISIANA 
CLAPPER  RAIL,  R.  c. 
SATUKATUS.  Similar  to 
3  but  paler  ashy  above 
and  more  broadly  and  dis- 
tinctly streaked  with  M,  A,  a,  3.  1-4. 
greenish  and  deeper  red  below.  Coast  of  Louisiana. 

4.  FLORIDA  CLAPPER  RAIL,  R.  SCOTTII.  Differs 
from  3  in  having-  a  more  slender  bill  and  in  being  darker  above, 
nearly  black  :  below,  ashy-gray  mixed  with  cinnamon.  Salt 
marshes  of  western  Fla. 

b.    Short-billed  Rails.    Porzaiia. 


Fig.  132. 


IMMKi 

JWC,  A,  b,  1,    1-2. 


Bill,  shorter  than  head,  slaty 
and  white ;  face  and  throat  black 

1.  CAROLINA  RAIL,  P. 
CAROLINA.  8.75;  bill,  .85;  line 
back  of  eye  and  upper  parts, 
brownish-yellow  broadly  streak- 
ed with  brown  and  very  distinctly 
dotted  and  short-lined  with 
^\hite;  line  on  top  of  head,  face 
a'nd  throat,  black ;  breast,  and 
sides  of  neck  and  head,  slaty- 
blue;  remaining  under  parts, 
white  banded  with  white  and 
dusky  on  sides  and  flanks ;  iris, 
brown,  bill,  yellow,  feet,  green, 
fig.  132.  Young,  differ  in  being 
overwashed  with  reddish  below 
and  the  black  markings  are  ab- 


116  RAILS. 

sent.  Downy  young,  black  with  orange  bristles  at  base  of 
bill.  Temperate  N.  A.,  breeding  from  the  middle  slates  north- 
ward ;  migrates  southward  in  early  Oct.  to  winter  from  the 
Carolinas  to  the  Bahamas,  West  Indies  and  northern  S.  A. ; 
comes  north  in  April ;  breeds  in  early  June.  Notes  not  as 
rapid  as  in  a,  2 ;  gives  a  whistling  note  like  "Cur-iuc"  in  ad- 
dition to  some  short  chuckles,  also  gives  a  piping  cry  when 
alarmed.  Very  common  in  nearly  all  fresh- water  marshes  if 
wet  enough ;  also  occurs  on  salt  marshes,  especially  during 
migration. 

2.  SPOTTED  CRAKE,  P.  POKZANA.  A  little  smaller 
than  in  1  with  head,  neck  and  breast  quite  thickly  spotted 
with  white.  Northern  parts  of  the  Old  World;  occasional  in 
GreenJand. 

c.  Buffy  Kails.    Coturnicops. 

Small  rails  which  differ  from  b  in  being  yellowish-buff, 
in  having  white  secondaries  and  no  conspicuous  black  mark- 
ings. 

1.  YELLOW  RAIL,  C.  NOVEBOKACENSIS.  6.75  ;  bill,  .55  ; 
yellowish-buff  becoming  reddish  on  neck,  breast  and  un  ier 
tail  coverts  broadly  streaked  above  and  on  flanks  with  dark- 
brown  ;  abdomen,  white;  white-tipped  secondaries,  conspicu- 
ous in  flight.  Young  paler  below.  Breeds  north  of  the  U.  S. ; 
migrates  south  in  Sept.  and  early  Oct.  north  in  May;  winters 
in  Fla.  and  Cuba.  When  disturbed  utters  a  squeaking  sound. 
Rare. 

d.  Dusky  Kails.    Creciscus. 

Smallest  of  our  rails  and  very  dark  in  color  with  no  very 
conspicuous  white  markings. 

1.  BLACK  RAIL,  C.  JAMAICENSIS.  5.50;  bill,  .55; 
veiy  dark  brown  above ;  spotted  and  transversely  banded  with 
white  ;  back  and  neck  chestnut-red  ;  sides  of  head  and  under 
portions,  bluish-ash,  banded  on  abdomen  and  under  tail  cov- 
erts with  white.  Young,  duller;  throat,  whitish;  head,  red- 
dish. Breeds  throughout  temperate  N.  A.  north  to  Mass., 


V 


DIRECTORY   TO    BIRDS    OF    EASTERN    NORTH   AMERICA.     117 

northern  111.  and  Oregon.     Very  rare   everywhere.     Winters 
from  Fla.    south   through   the   West   Indies   to   Guatemala. 
Breeds  in  May ;  migrates  south  in  Sept.,  north  in  April. 
a.  Land  Kails.    Crex. 

Small  Rails  with  longer  wings  than  in  b,  folding  nearly 
to  the  end  of  tail,  and  with  shorter  legs;  live  mostly  on  dry 
land  among  herbage. 

1.  CORN  CRAKE,  C.  CREX.  10.50;  bill,  .90;  Dark  brown 
above  mottled  with  yellowish-brown  ;  upper  and  under  wing 
coverts,  rusty-red ;  bluish-gray  below  becoming  ashy  on 
throat;  flanks,  barred  with  reddish.  Europe  and  northern 
Asia;  casual  in  Greenland,  Bermuda  and  eastern  N.  A. 
B.  GALLINCKES.  Gallinulidae. 

Birds  that  inhabit  the  grassy  or  reedy  borders  of  fresh- 
waters  with  scarcely  depressed  bodies,  but   otherwise   much 
like  rails  under  A,  b,  but  the  toes  are  very  long  and  narrow. 
Bill,  shorter  than  head  and  with  a  frontal  shield,     fig.    134. 
Somewhat  social,  occurring  in  small  scattering  flocks. 

a.     Slaty  Gallinules.    Gallinula. 

General  colors  slaty-blue ;  bill,  not  very  stout,  fig.  133. 

1.  FLORIDA  GALLINULE,  G.  GALEATA.  14.00;  bill, 
1.25;  head  and  neck,  dusky;  back,  bronzy-green ;  tail  and  its 
middle  lower  coverts,  Fig.  133. 

black,  the  outer  por 
tion  of  tli  clatter 
white ;  tip  of  bill,  yel-  ' 
low;  remainder,front-£ 
al  plate  and  tibia,  ^ 
§ealing-wax  red ;  feet,  i 
greenish,   fig.  133. 
Young,  duller,   over-  j 
washed  with  reddish  j 
above,  feathers  be- * 
neath  tipped   with 
white ;  bill  and  frontal 
plate  greenish.    Nest-  ]ME,  B,  a,  1.     1-4. 

lings,  black  glossed  with  greenish,  no  frontal  plate,  bill  yel- 


118  GALLINTJLES. 

low;  feet,  black.  Temperate  and  tropical  America  from  Bra- 
zil and  Chili  north  to  Canada.  Common,  but  rare  in  Middle 
States  and  N.  E.  Resident  in  Florida,  migratory  further  north. 
Not  shy,  frequently  appearing  on  the  borders  of  streams  and 
other  bodies  of  fresh  water;  swims  well  and  dives  with  ease;: 
clings  to  aquatic  vegetation  ;  in  swimming  the  feet  are  moved 
as  in  walking  and  the  head  is  moved  backward  and  forward 
with  them.  Notes,  a  harsh,  rail-like  "  Kra  "  repeated  sever- 
al times  and  given  more  often  at  night-fall  and  and  a  metal- 
lic "  Chuck  "  when  annoyed.  Flight,  direct  with  rapid  wing- 
beats  and  dangling  legs.  Breeds  in  May ;  downy  young  fol- 
low the  parents  as  soon  as  hatched.  Eggs,  similar  to  B. 
b.  Sultana  Gallinules.  lonornis. 

Bill,  thick :  colors,  bright,  purple  and  blue  predominat- 
ing :  frontal  shield  large. 

1.  PURPLE  GALLINULE,  I.  MAKTINICA.  12.50;  bill, 
1.15;  bright  brownish-green  above;  head  and  under  parts,, 
bluish-purple  ;  sides  Fig.  134. 

greenish;  bill,  red 
tipped    with   yellow ; 
frontal   plate,  blue; 
under  tail   coverts, 
white ;  feet,  greenish, 
fig.  134.     Young,  dul- 
ler above  and  reddish 
mixed   with  whitish 
below.     South  Atlan- 
tic and   Gulf  States 
southward  through 
the  West  Indies,  Mex- 
ico, Central  America  M-   B,    b    1.     1-4. 
and  northern  S.  A.     Common;  rare  or  casual  north   to  Me., 
N.  Y.,  and  Wis.    Migratory  in  the  U.  S.,  going  south  in  Sep. 
and  coming  north  in  May.     1  reeds  in  Fla.  in  late  May  or  early 
June.     Habits,  similar  to  a,  1. 


DIRECTORY   TO   BIRDS    OF    EASTERN   NORTH    AMERICA.      119 

C.    COOTS.    Fuliciclae. 

Differ  from  JB  chiefly  in  having  the  toes  widely  lobated, 
and  the  frontal  shield  is  large. 

Fig.  135. 


C.  a,  1. 
a.    Coots.    Fuiica. 

Characters  as  above. 

1.  AMERICAN  COOT,  F.  AMERICANA.  16.00;  bill.  1.30; 
slaty-blue;  head  and  neck,  dusky;  tips  of  secondaries  (show- 
ing in  flight)  and  under  tail  coverts,  white,  the  latter  with  a 
black  line  in  the  center ;  bill,  yellow,  white  at  tip  with  a  band 
in  center  and  frontal  Fig.  136. 

plate,  brownish-red ; 
iris,  brown;  legs, 
greenish,  fig.  136. 
Young,  duller  with 
the  feathers  more  or 
less  tipped  with 
white.  Downy 
young,  black.  Breeds 
chiefly  in  northern 
U.  S.  and  southern 
Canada;  common,  oc-  M,  C,  a,  .1.  1-4. 

curring  more  rarely  north  to  Greenland  and  Alaska ;  migrates 
southward,  (largely  through  the  interior,  but  occurring  in 
greater  or  less  numbers  east  to  the  Atlantic)  to  winter  in  the 
Gulf  States  and  southward  through  the  West  Indies,  occur- 
ring in  immense,  compact  flocks  at  this  season  on  fresh  and 
brackish  waters  in  Fla. ; -comes  north  in  May,  when  less  com- 
mon in'the  Atlantic  States  north  of  the  Carolinas.  Dives 
well  but  does  not  use  the  wings  under  water.  Flight,  direct 
with  rapid  wing-beats  ;  in  rising  from  the  water,  swims  rapid- 


12O  COOTS. 

jy  then  runs  with  flapping  wings  ;  in  flight  the  head  and  neck 
are  outstretched  and  the  feet  are  held  straight  out  behind. 
Often  leaves  the  water  and  walks  about  among  the  grass, 
reeds,  etc.  When  swimming  the  head  is  moved  as  in  B, 
a,  1.  Notes,  half  melancholy  whistles  followed  by  a  guttur- 
al chuckle. 

2.  EUROPEAN  COOT,  F.  ATKA.  Differs  from  1  in  hav- 
ing the  bill  and  frontal  plate,  edge  of  wing,  and  first  prima- 
ry, white;  there  is  no  white  on  under  tail  coverts.  Northern 
parts  of  eastern  hemisphere;  accidental  in  Greenland. 


Water  birds  with  webbed  front  toes,  closely  blended  plu- 
mage, large  bodies,  long  necks,  bill  with  tooth-like  lamellae 
on  sides  and  with  a  nail  at  tip,  fig.  136. 
Fig.  136. 


IV,  A,  a,  1. 
A.    MERGANSERS.    Mergiiiidae. 

Long-bodied,  long-necked  ducks  with  slender  bills  in 
which  the  lamellae  are  prominent  and  inclined  backward, 
fig.  136.  Dive  well. 

a.    Tooth-billed  Mergansers.    Merganser. 

Bill,  very  distinctly  toothed  with  the  teeth  well  inclined 
backward,  fig.  136.  Large  white  wing-patch. 

1.  AMERICAN  MERGANSER,  M.  AMERICANUS.  24.00; 
bill,  2.00 ;  head,  upper  neck,  and  anterior  back,  black,  glossed 
with  greenish  and  purplish ;  remainder  of  back,  bluish-ash ; 


DIRECTORY   TO   BIRDS    OF    EASTERN   NORTH   AMERICA.    121 

white  beneath  strongly  tinged  with  salmon :  iris,  red ;  bill 
and  feet,  orange,  fig.  137.  Female,  head  and  neck,  reddish 
with  a  well  defined  line  of  demarkation  between  this  color 
and  the  white  below;  entire  back,  bluish-ash.  iroung,  simi- 
lar to  female.  Breeds  from  Penn.  and  the  mountains  of  Col. 
nnd  Gal.  northward,  in  May,  nesting  in  holes  of  trees ;  mi- ; 
grates  southward  in  Sep.  and  Oct.  to  winter  from  the  Middle 
States  southward  to  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  and  more  scattering- 
ly  north  to  Mass. ;  comes  north  in  April.  Common,  on  fresh 
waters  and  occasionally  found  on  salt  water,  occurring  an 
small  flocks.  Eggs,  6  to  10,  pale  buff.  Kise  obliquely  from 
the  water  into  swift,  direct  flight  with  very  rapid  wing-beats  ; 
Cries,  harsh  but  duck-like. 

2.     RED-BREAST-  Fig.  137. 

ED  MERGANSER,    M. 
SERRATOR.  Differs  from 
1  in    being   smaller, 
22.00 ;  the  males  have  a  \ 
well-d  e  f  i  n  e  d  crest  of  § 
lanceolate  feathers,^ 
the  breast  and  sides  of  -— - 
neck  are  buff  streaked 
with   black,  and  the 
lower  parts  are  creamy-  IV ,   A,  a,  1.     1-10. 

white,  fig.  138;  the  female  has  the  throat  less  white  and  the 
reddish  of  the  head  and  neck  is  not  separated  from  the  white 
by  a  well-defined  line  of  demarkation.  Breeds  chiefly  north 
of  the  U.  S.,  placing  its  nest  on  the  ground;  migrates  south 
in  Oct.  to  winter  from  N.  E.  to  Fla.,  occurring  mainly  on  the 
coast  often  in  large  flocks;  goes  north  in  April.  A  few  occur 
on  fresh  waters.  Eggs,  deposited  in  May,  greenish-brown, 
b.  Crested  Mergansers.  Lophodytes. 

Bill  not  as  distinctly   toothed  as  in  a,  and  the  teeth   are 
not  as  much  inclined  backward,  fig.  139;  head, crested. 


122 


MERGANSERS. 


L.   CUCUKLATUS. 

Fig.  138. 


1.     HOODED   MERGANSER,    L.    CUCULLATUS.      19.00; 
bill,  1.70;  above,  head, 
upper  neck,  and  collar 
on  lower  neck,   black 
with    violet    irides- 
cence;   triangular 
patch  on  head  and 
crest,  some  streakingB 
above,  spots  on  wings, 
and  beneath,    white; 
sides,   chestnut  finely B 
banded  with  black;T 
iris,    orange;    bill, 
black  ;  feet,   dusky-or- 1 
ange,  fig.  139.    Female 
and  young,   brown  on 
head,  neck  and  upper 
parts;  white  beneath.  IN",  A,  a,  2.     1-10. 

N.  A.  south  to  Mexico  and  Cuba,  breeding  throughout  most 
of  its  range;  resident  from  the  Carolinas  southward.  Eggs, 
6  to  10,  pure  white,  placed  in  holes  or  shallow  cavities  of  trees 
in  May.  Common,  occurring  more  often  on  fresh  waters  than 
on  salt. 

Fig.  139.  Fig.  140. 


,  A,  b,  1.     1-8.  N,  A,  c,  1.     1-8. 

c.    Smews.    Mergus. 

Differ  from  b  in  having  the  bill  shorter  and  the  crest  not 
as  prominent. 


DIRECTORY   TO    BIRDS  OF    EASTERN    NORTH   AMERICA. 

1.  SMEW,  M.  AKBELLUS.  16.50 ;  bill,  1.00 ;  white  patch 
in  front  of  eye,  back,  and  two  crescent-shaped  bars  on  side  of 
breast,  black,  fig.  140.  Female,  top  of  head,  brown,  rest  of 
head  and  beneath,  white  ;  back,  ashy-brown.  Northern  Eu- 
rope and  Asia;  accidental  in  eastern  N.  A. 

B.    RIVER  DUCKS.    Anatidae. 

Bill,  widened,  flattened  and  more  or  less  expanded  at  tip, 
fig.  143;  legs  rather  short  but  the  birds  walk  well  and  often 
feed  on  land ;  terminal  portion  of  inner  secondaries,  irides- 
cent, forming  a  shining  surface,  the  speculum. 

a.    Fresli-water  Ducks.    Anas. 

Large-sized  ducks  with  the  bill  but  little  expanded  at 
tip.  Do  not  dive  for  their  food  but  feed  by  reaching  down  in 
shallow  water,  sometimes  tipping  the  body  forward.  Nests 
placed  on  the  ground,  eggs,  6  to  12,  greenish.  Flight,  swift 
and  direct  with  rapid  wing-beats.  Note  of  males  a  low,  soft- 
ly given  " Quack"  often  repeated  ;  of  females  a  lower  "  Quack"** 
more  harshly  given. 

1.  MALLARD,  A.  BOSCHAS.  24.00 ;  bill,  2.25  ;  head  and 
upper  neck,  green  ;  lower  neck  in  front  and  breast,  chestnut; 
lower  neck  and  back,  reddish-brown  finely  banded  with  white 
but  darker  behind  and  quite  black  on  the  upper  tail  coverts 
the  tips  of  which  are  upturned;  beneath,  back  of  breast, 
creamy-white ;  wings,  marked  with  reddish-brown,  white  and 
chestnut;  speculum,  dark-blue  glossed  with  violet,  surround- 
ed by  a  black  border  which  is  margined  before  and  behind 
with  a  white  band ;  bill,  greenish;  feet,  orange,  fig.  141.  Fe- 
male, and  young,  dark-brown  banded  and  spotted  with  yel- 
lowish-red which  predominates  below ;  speculum,  as  in  male. 
Northern  parts  of  northern  hemisphere;  in  N.  A.  breeding 
south  to  southern  U.  S. ;  most  common  in  north-eastern  U.  S. 
during  migrations,  in  April,  Sept.  and  Oct. ;  a  few  remain  all 
winter  as  far  north  as  Mass,  but  the  greater  portion  pass  the 
winter  in  the  southern  states.  Breeds  in  May.  In  starting 
from  the  water,  rises  obliquely.  More  common  on  fresh  than 


124 


KIVKIi    DUCKS. 


salt  waters.     Easily  tamed  and  is  the  origin  of  many  of  our 
domestic  ducks. 


Fig.  141. 


Fig.  142. 


1ST,  B,  a,  1.    1-12.  IS",  B,  a3  2.    1-12. 

2.  BLACK  DUCK,  A.  OBSCURA.  23.00;  bill,  2.00  :  dark 
brown  with  all  the  feathers,  especially  below  streaked  and 
margined  with  reddish-yellow  ;  speculum,  green,  bordered  by 
black  only,  fig.  142.  Female  and  young  with  rather  more 
yellowish  ;  in  all  stages  the  throat  is  clear  yellowish  with  few 
or  no  spots ;  feet,  brownish-orange;  bill,  greenish.  Breeds 
from  Massachusetts  northward  in  May ;  common  ;  more  abun- 
dant during  migration  in  April  and  Sept. ;  winters  from  Mass, 
to  the  Carolinas.  In  rising  from  the  water  or  land,  springs 
into  air  to  the  height  of  ten  feet  or  more  before  darting  away 
in  swift  flight.  More  often  found  on  fresh  than  salt  water. 
2*.  RED-LEGGED  BLACK  DUCK,  A.  o.  RUBRIPES. 
Fig.  143.  Larger  than  1,  general- 

ly d  arker;  th  roat, 
thickly  spotted,  fig. 
143;  bill,  yellow,  feet, 
red.  Breeds  north  of 
the  U.  S. ;  migrates 
southward  in  Oct.  to 
)  winter  in  great  num- 
bers from  Mass,  south 
to  the  Chesapeake; 
goes  north  in  April. 
B,  a  2*.  1-2.  Occurs  mc^e  often  on 


PLATE  11. 


WILSON'S  PLOVER  :  B,  YOUNG  ;  A,  ADULT  MALE. 


DIRECTORY   TO    BIRDS    OF    EASTERN    NORTH   AMERICA.     125 

salt  water  than  on  fresh,  sometimes  occurring  along  the  coast 
in  flocks  of  hundreds. 

3.  FLORIDA  BLACK  DUCK,  A.  FULVIGULA.  Differs 
from  1  in  being  smaller,  much  more  yellowish  with  longitud- 
inal marks  in  the  feathers  above  and  Y-shaped  marks  of  the 
same  in  tail  feathers ;  bill,  greenish ;  feet,  reddish-orange. 
Central  and  southern  Fla.  Common,  but  seldom  seen  in 
large  flocks.  Nests  in  April. 

b.    Gray  Ducks.    Chaulelasmus. 

Medium  sized  ducks  that  do  not  dive,  which  differ  from 
a  in  having  the  bill  narrower  and  not  at  all  expanded  at  tip. 

1.  GAD  WALL,  C.  STREPERUS.  21.00;  bill,  2.10;  spec- 
ulum, white  bordered  in  front  with  black ;  head  and  neck, 
yellowish  spotted  with  black ;  top  of  head,  reddish  ;  upper 
parts,  lower  neck  and  sides,  dusky  finely  banded  with  white ; 
bill,  black ;  feet,  greenish,  fig.  144.  Female,  brownish  through- 
out;  speculum  as  in  male.  Nearly  cosmopolitan;  in  N.  A. 
breeds  in  western  U.  S.  where  it  is  common,  rare  on  the  At- 
lantic coast.  Migrates  south  in  Nov.  wintering  as  far  south 
as  Central  America ;  comes  north  in  April;  breeds  in  May, 
nesting  on  the  ground ;  eggs,  6  to  10,  pale  brownish-buff. 
Fig.  144.  Fig.  145. 


IV,  B,  b,  1.     1-12.  JV,  B,  C,  1.     1-12. 

c.    Widgeons.    Mareca. 

Medium-sized  ducks  with  short,  narrow  bills  and  top   of 
head  whitish. 


126 


WIDGEONS. 


1.  BALDPATE,    M.    AMERICANA.      20.00;    bill,   1.50; 
speculum,  black;  head  and  neck,  creamy-white  finely  banded 
and  spotted,  excepting  on  crown,  with  dusky;    lower  neck, 
breast  and  sides  reddish-ash  more  or  less  banded  with  dusky ; 
dark  brown  above  finely  banded  with  white,  fig.  145.    Female, 
duller,  with  crown  spotted  with  dusky.     Breeds  in  the  inter- 
ior of  N.  A.  but  chiefly  north  of  the  U.  S. ;  eggs,  similar  to  b, 
1 ;  winters  from  the  southern  border  of  the  U.  S.  to  Central 
America;  migrates  south  in  Nov.,  north  in  April.     Common, 
occurring  in  small  flocks  or  in  company   with   other  ducks ; 
Tare  on  the  Atlantic  coast  north  of  Fla. 

2.  WIDGEON,  M.  PENELOPE.    Differs  from  1  in  having 
the  top  of  head  yellowish  and  the  remainder  of  head  and  neck, 
chestnut-red  sparingly  spotted  with  dusky ;  female,  speculum 
gray  bordered  with  white  excepting  below.     Northern  parts 
of  the  Old  World ;  occurs  frequently  in  eastern  U.  S. 

d.    Little  Teals.    Nettion. 

Contains  the  smallest  of  our  ducks.     All  have  short,  nar- 
TOW  bills  and  are  prominently  marked  with  striking  colors. 
1.     GREEN-WINGED  TEAL,  N.  CAROLINENSIS.     14.00; 
bill,  1.60;  speculum,  green  above  black  below  narrowly  bor- 
dered by  white  behind;  head  and  neck,  chestnut-red  with  a 
green  line  behind  eye ;  brown  above  finely  banded  with  white ; 
Fig.  146.  Fig.  147. 


B,  d,  1.    1-8.  IV,  B,  e,  1.    1-8. 

crescent-shaped  mark  in  front  of  wing,  ring  around  neck  and 
beneath,  white ;  breast,  purplish  with  rounded  spots  of  black ; 
under  tail  coverts  creamy  with  a  central  line  of  black;  bill 


DIRECTORY   TO   BIRDS    OF    EASTERN   NORTH   AMERICA.      127 

and  feet,  brown,  fig.  146.  Female,  brown  above  with  feath- 
ers edged  with  whitish;  white  beneath  slightly  spotted  on 
breast  with  dusky.  Young,  similar  to  female  and  all  stages 
occur  between  this  and  the  male ;  speculum  always  as  in  male. 
N.  A.  breeding  chiefly  north  of  the  U.  S.  in  May  :  nests  on  the 
ground,  eggs,  6  to  10,  pale  brownish-buff ;  goes  south  in  Sep. 
and  Oct.  to  winter  along  the  southern  border  of  the  U.  S. 
Comes  north  in  April.  Common,  but  less  so  along  the  Atlantic 
border  of  the  U.  S.  Occurs  in  small  flocks  rather  more  fre- 
quently in  eastern  N.  E.  on  salt  than  fresh  water. 

EUROPEAN  TEAL,  IS".  CRECCA.  Differs  from  1  in  the 
absence  of  the  white  crescent  in  front  of  wing  and  in  having 
the  green  band  on  side  of  head  decidedly  bordered  with  whit- 
ish; bandings  on  sides,  coarser;  female  and  young  scarcely 
to  be  distinguished  from  1.  Northern  parts  of  Old  World;, 
occasional  in  eastern  IN".  A. 

e.    Teals.    Querquedula. 

Larger  than  in  d  with  a  prominent  blue  patch  on  wing. 
1.  BLUE-WINGED  TEAL,  Q.  DISCORS.  16.00;  bill,  1.62  ; 
speculum,  greenish-black  bordered  with  white  behind ;  lesser 
wing  coverts  blue ;  head  and  neck  all  around  ashy-gray ;  white 
crescent  in  front  of  eye;  top  of  head,  black,  back,  brown; 
outer  webs  of  scapularies,  blue,  black  and  green;  beneath, 
purplish-ash  spotted  with  black;  bill,  black,  feet,  yellowish, 
fig.  147.  Female,  brown  with  feathers  edged  with  whitish,, 
more  broadly  below;  speculum,  pale.  Young,  like  female; 
with  intermediate  stages  in  males.  N.  A.  more  common  east- 
ward. Breeds  chiefly  in  the  interior  from  Kansas  and  south- 
ern 111.  northward;  migrates  south  in  Sep.  in  small  flocks, 
when  it  occurs  all  over  our  section  frequenting  small  ponds 
or  even  pools  and  occasionally  occurring  on  salt  water  creeks  ; 
winters  from  the  Carolinas  southward  through  the  Bahamas 
and  West  Indies;  comes  north  in  April  when  it  is  less  com- 
mon on  the  Atlantic  coast ;  flight,  exceedingly  swift ;  when 
alarmed,  gathers  in  close  bodies  on  the  water.  Nesting  hab- 
its and  eggs  similar  to  d,  1. 


128 


SPOON-BILLED    DUCKS. 


2.  CINNAMON  TEAL,  Q.  CYANOPTERA.  Differs  from 
1  in  having  the  speculum  green,  head,  neck  and  lower  parts 
rich  purplish-chestnut  and  the  feet  orange.  Female  differs 
in  having  the  upper  part  of  throat  unstreaked  and  the  abdo- 
men spotted  distinctly.  Western  America,  in  N.  A.  west  of 
the  Kocky  Mountains,  casual  in  the  Mississippi  Valley  and 
Fla. 

f.    Spoon-billed  Ducks.    Spatula. 

Larger  ducks  with  the  bill  greatly  widened  at  tip.  Wing 
coverts,  blue  as  in  e. 

1.  SHOVELLER,  S.  CLYPEATA.  20.00;  bill,  2.50;  spec- 
ulum, green  glassed  with  violet ;  head  and  upper  neck,  green- 
ish; remainder  of  neck,  breast,  sides  of  back,  and  wing-band, 
white:  under  parts,  chestnut;  under  tail  coverts,  black;  bill, 
black,  iris,  yellow  ;  feet,  orange,  fig.  148.  Female,  yellowish- 
buff,  streaked,  spotted  and  banded,  more  prominently  above, 
with  dusky.  Northern  hemisphere;  in  N.  A.  breeds  from 
Texas  to  Alaska;  nests,  placed  on  the  ground,  eggs,  6 to  10, 
greenish.  Migrates  south  in  Sep.  and  Oct.  to  winter  in  con- 
siderable numbers  from  the  Carolinas  through  the  Gulf  States . 
Comes  north  in  April ;  uncommon  on  the  Atlantic  coast  north 
of  the  Carolinas.  Occurs  in  small  ponds  both  salt  and  fresh 
in  small  flocks.  Very  unsuspicious. 


Fig.  148. 


Fig.  149. 


3V,  B,  f,  1.     1-10. 


B,   g,  1. 


140. 


PLATE  12. 


DIRECTORY   TO   BIRDS    OF   EASTERN   NORTH   AMERICA.    129 

g.    Sprig-tailed  Ducks.    Dafila. 

Larger  ducks  with  long  necks,  elongated  and  narrowed 
central  tail  feathers  and  rather  narrow  bills  which  are  but 
slightly  narrowed  at  tip. 

1.  PINTAIL,  D.  ACUTA.  25.00;  bill,  2.00;  speculum, 
greenish  with  a  violet  iridescence;  head,  neck  and  back 
brown,  the  latter  finely  banded  with  white ;  two  lines  of  white 
extend  down  sides  of  neck  to  back  with  a  patch  of  black  be- 
tween and  join  the  white  of  the  lower  parts ;  wing  coverts 
ashy-brown,  the  greater  tipped  with  reddish;  bill,  blackish* 
feet,  brown.  Female;  speculum,  gray;  above,  dark-brown 
banded,  streaked  and  spotted  with  yellowish-white  and  ruf- 
ous ;  beneath,  yellowish-white  spotted  on  throat,  neck  and 
under  tail  coverts  with  dusky ;  white  wing-band  in  both  sex- 
es. Northern  hemisphere  ;  in  N.  A.  breeds  north  of  the  U.  S. ; 
migrates  south  in  Sep.,  Oct.  and  Nov.  to  winter  from  the  Gulf 
States  south  to  Panama  when  it  is  very  abundant  in  Fla.  fre- 
quenting the  salt  estuaries  of  the  coasts  and  fre'sh  waters  of 
the  interior ;  comes  north  in  March ;  not  common  on  the  At- 
lantic coast  north  of  Georgia.  Nest,  placed  on  the  ground ; 
eggs,  6  to  10,  greenish-brown. 

h.  Arboreal  IHicks.    Aix. 

Medium-sized  ducks  with  conspicuous  markings  and 
crested  heads,  which  inhabit  fresh  waters.  All  of  the  species 
are  beautiful. 

1.  WOOD  DUCK,  A.  SPONSA.  18.00;  bill,  1.35.;  head, 
green  brightest  on  top,  Fig.  150. 

line  over  eye,  one  be. 
hind  it,  throat  running 
upward  in  a  triangular 
patch,  ring  around 
neck,  and  beneath, 
white ;  above,  brown 
much  glossed  with 
greenish;  breast 
chestnut  spotted  with 
white;  sides,  buff  fine- 
ly banded  with  black 


13O  DUCKS. 

with  coarser  black  and  white  transverse  bandings  behind; 
white  crescent  in  front  of  wing  bordered  behind  by  one  of 
black;  speculum,  green  and  bronze  bordered  behind  with 
white;  iris,  red;  bill,  pinkish;  feet,  brown,  fig.  150.  Female 
and  young,  duller  with  the  head  plain  slaty-brown  with 
throat,  line  at  base  of  bill  and  space  around  eye,  white ;  young 
have  the  breast  streaked.  Temperate  N.  A.  breeding  through- 
out its  range ;  migrates  south  in  Oct.  to  winter  in  the  Gulf 
States ;  comes  north  in  April.  Breeds  in  April  in  Fla.,  in  May 
further  north;  nests,  placed  in  holes  of  trees:  eggs,  6  to  10, 
pale  brownish.  Frequents  wooded  streams  and  small  ponds, 
often  hiding  in  thickets,  rises  suddenly  and  flies  swiftly  away 
usually  along  the  course  of  the  stream.  Note  when  breeding, 
given  by  both  sexes,  a  clear,  long-drawn,  plaintive  cry,  often 
repeated. 

C.    SEA  DUCKS.    Fuligulidae. 

Sea-inhabiting  ducks  with  the  bill  not  often  expanded  at 
tip  but  somewhat  so  in  the  middle  in  a  few  genera, 
a.    Pochards.    Netta. 

Head,  conspicuously  crested;  bill,  not  expanded;  specu- 
lum, present. 

1.  RUFOUS-CRESTED  DUCK,  N.  RUFINA.  21.00;  bill, 
2.00;  speculum,  white;  head  and  neck,  purplish-red;  lower 
neck,  stripe  along  hind  neck,  lower  parts,  and  rump,  black- 
ish; back,  brown;  large  patch  on  flanks,  white;  bill  and  feet, 
bright  red.  Female,  brownish  throughout;  speculum,  gray 
bordered  behind  with  a  band  of  brown  ;  crest,  smaller.  East- 
ern hemisphere;  accidental  in  eastern  U.  S.  All  dive  with 
ease. 

b.    Bay  Ducks,    Aythya. 

Differ  from  a  in  being  without  crest. 

1.  REDHEAD,  A.  AMERICANA.  20.00;  bill,  2.00,  low  at 
base  and  not  projected  backward  on  forehead;  speculum, 
bluish  with  the  upper  feathers  bl«ack  margined;  head,  and 


IV,   C,  b,   1.    1-15. 


DIRECTORY   TO   BIRDS  OF    EASTERN   NORTH    AMERICA.       131 

neck  for  more  than  half  its  length,  brownish-red  tinged  with 

violet;   remainder  of   neck,  Fig.  151. 

body  in  front  of  wings  and 

lower  back,  black;  canvassing 

on  back  and  sides   with   the 

black    and   white  of   about 

equal  area;  bill,  black;  feet, 

bluish;  iris,  orange,  fig.  151. 

Female,  brownish  throughout 

with  the  canvassing  above 

faintly  indicated.  Breeds  from 

southern  Mich,  and  northern 

Me.  northward,  migrating 

southward  in  Oct.    to   winter  from  Mass,  (where  it  is  rare 

north  of  Cape  Cod)  southward,  becoming  very  common  from 

Chesapeake  Bay  through  the  Carolinas  ;  comes  north  in  April. 

Nests  on  ground ;  eggs,  6  to  10,  creamy-white.  Occurs  in  flocks 

or  occasionally  singly. 

2.  CANVAS-BACK.  A.  VALLISNERIA.  Differs  from  1 
in  being  a  trifle  larger ;  bill,  long  and  tapering,  2.75  produced 
back  on  forehead ;  red  of  neck  not  extending  over  more  than 
half  its  length  ;  canvassing  with  white  predominating,  fig. 
152.  Breeds  from  the  northwestern  States  northward;  time 
of  migration  and  winter  Fig.  152. 

range  with  nesting   habits 
about  as  in  1. 

c.    Black-headed 
Ducks.    Fuligula. 

Bill,  flatter  than  in  b 
and  slightly  expanded  tow- 
ard tip ;  head  and  neck,  and 
upper  breast,  black. 

1.  SCAUP,  F.  MARILA. 
19.00;  bill,  1.80;  speculum,  J\ ,  C,  b,  2.  1-16. 

White;  head  glossed  with  green  and  violet;  space  in  middle 


132  DUCKS. 

of  neck  slightly  ringed  with  brownish ;  back  and  sides  can- 
vassed with  about  equal  proportions  of  black  and  white;  be- 
neath, white;  bill,  blue;  feet,  black;  iris,  orange,  fig.  153. 
Female,  with  black  of  male  replaced  with  dark  brown ;  white 
space  at  base  of  upper  mandible,  fig.  154.  Young  male,  sim- 
ilar and  all  stages  occur  between  this  and  adults.  Breeds  far 
north ;  migrates  south  in  Oct.  to  winter  from  the  coast  of  the 
middle  States  south  ward  as  far  as  Guatemala;  comes  north  in 
April;  common  in  N.  E.  in  spring  and  autumn,  often  remain- 
ing until  Dec.  Often  occurs  in  large  close  flocks,  or  rafts, 
and  in  rising  flies  in  a  close  body.  Usually  found  on  salt 
water  but  are  sometimes  seen  on  fresh.  Nesting  habits  and 
eggs  similar  to  those  of  b,  1. 

2.     LESSER  SCAUP,  F.  AFFINIS.  Smaller  than  1,  17.00; 
Fig.  153.  head  without  the  greenish 

gloss,  otherwise  similar. 
Breeds  a  little  further  south 
and  occurs  in  the  Bahamas 
and  West  Indies  in  winter, 
but  otherwise  range  and 
nesting  habits  similar. 

3.  RING-NECKED 
DUCK,  F.  COLLARIS.  Dif- 
fers from  2  in  having  the 
speculum  gray  and  a  dis- 
tinct reddish  ring  around 
the  neck.  Breeding  habits  and  range,  similar.  Occurs  more 
often  on  fresh  waters  than  on  salt  and  in  not  large  flocks, 
but  frequently  singly  or  in  pairs. 

d.    Black  and  White  Ducks.    Clang-ula. 
Black  and  white  ducks  with  short  necks  and  narrow  bills 
which  are  high  at  the  base  and  not  flattened. 

1.  AMERICAN  GOLDEN-EYE,  C.  AMERICANA.  20.00; 
bill,  1.60;  head,  upper  neck  and  back,  black;  round  spot  at 
base  of  bill,  lower  neck,  under  parts,  and  wing  patch,  white; 
scapularies,  lance-shaped  and  streaked  and  edged  with  white ; 


C,  o.  1.    1-10. 


PLATE  13. 


HEAD  AND  FOOT  OF  ANI. 


DIRECTORY   TO   BIRDS    OF   EASTERN    NORTH   AMERICA.     133 

bill,  black;  feet,  yellow;  iris,  orange,  fig.  155.     Female  and 
young,    black    replaced  by  Fig.  154. 

ashy  brown  and  the  feathers 
are  edged  with  whitish; 
young  males  occur  in  all 
stages  between  this  and 
adults  but  the  white  spot  at 
base  of  bill  is  usually  indi- 
cated. Breeds  from  north- 
ern Maine  northward ;  mi- 
grates southward  to  winter 
in  abundance  on  the  coast  of 
N.  E.  frequenting  the  open  N,  C.  C,  1.  1-3. 
water  about  the  mouths  of  rivers,  and  southward  to  Cuba; 
goes  north  in  April.  Flies  rather  high  even  in  passing  over 
comparatively  short  distances,  and  swiftly,  producing  a  loud 
whistling  with  its  wings.  Nests,  placed  in  holes  of  trees ;  eggs, 
ashy-green. 

2.  BARROWS  GOLDEN-EYE,  C.  ISLANDICA.  Differs 
from  1  in  having  the  bill  higher  at  base  and  the  white  spot  on 
head  triangular  in  form,  the  green  glossing  is  absent  from 
head,  and  the  scapularies  are  rounded  at  tip  with  a  pointed 
projection  on  one  or  both  sides.  Breeds  from  the  Gulf  of  St. 


Fig.  155. 


TV,    C,   d,   1.     1-10. 


Lawrence  northward ;  south 
in  winter  rarely  to  Mass,  and 
N.  Y. 

e.    Dipper  Ducks. 
Charitoiietta. 

Small  ducks  which  oc- 
cur on  salt  water  oftener 
than  on  fresh  and  which  are 
expert  divers.  Differ  from 
d  in  being  smaller,  in  hav- 
ing the  feathers  of  head  elon- 
gated with  a  large  white 
patch  behind  eye. 


156. 


134  L»UCKS. 

1.  BUFFLE-HEAD,  C,  ALBEOLA.  14.00;  bill,  1.15; 
head,  upper  neck,  and  back,  black  ;  triangular  patch  back  of 
eye,  broad  line  through  wing,  and  beneath,  white ;  bill,  black ; 
feet,  yellow,  fig.  157.  Female,  smoky-brown  above,  white 
below  :  white  patch  on  wing  and  a  small  one  back  of  eye  and 
below  it.  Breeds  from  Me.  northward,  placing  its  nest  in 
holes  and  cavities  of  trees  and  stumps.  South  in  Oct.  to  win- 
ter from  Mass,  southward  to  Cuba.  Comes  north  in  March. 

f.    Long-tailed  Ducks.    Harelcla. 
Medium-sized,  small-headed,  short-necked  ducks,  mostly 
black  in  color  and  which  change  plumage  in  winter;  bill, 
short  and  narrow. 

1.  OLDSQUAW, 
H.  HYEMALIS.  18.00;  bill, 
1.15 ;  summer,  head,  neck, 
breast,  upper  parts,  and 
middle  tail,  brownish- 
black;  sides  of  head  and 
body,  bluish-ash;  patch 
behind  eye,  longitudinal 
streak  on  sides  of  occiput, 
under  parts,  and  sides  of 
tail,  white;  some  feathers 
of  upper  parts,  edged  with 

C,  d,  2.     1-8.  chestnut;  bill,  black  with 

narrow  ring  of  orange  near  tip ;  feet,  bluish.  Winter,  differs 
from  summer  in  having  head,  neck,  upper  breast,  and  back, 
white;  patch  of  brown  on  side  of  head  below  one  of  ashy,  fig. 
158.  Female  differs  in  lacking  the  long  central  tail  feathers, 
the  head  and  neck  are  dusky  with  whitish  patch  around  eye 
and  on  neck  behind.  Breeds  far  north  throughout  the  north- 
ern hemisphere;  migrates  south  in  middle  Oct.  to  winter  in 
abundance  along  the  coast  of  N.  E.  south  to  the  Potomac; 
comes  north  in  late  April.  Frequents  bays  along  the  coast 
keeping  in  close  flocks  from  a  few  pairs  to  a  hundred  or  more. 
In  feeding  all  of  a  flock  are  apt  to  dive  at  once  and  reappear 


TV,  C,  e,   1.    1-10. 


DIRECTORY   TO   BIRDS    OF   EASTERN   NORTH   AMERICA.      135 

simultaneously;    cries,    musical    and  frequently  given  both 
when  the  birds  are  in  flight  Fig.  157. 

and  when  sitting  on  the 
water;  the  notes  may  be  ren-  , 
dered  by  "  Er-lit  ah-er-lit  " 
varied  by  "  Ah-ah  ah-er-lit" 
When  a  number  are  vociferat- 
ing the  effect  produced  is  sim- 
ilar to  childish,  or  feminine 
articulations  uttered  in  an  un- 
known tongue.  Nests,  placed 
on  the  ground;  eggs,  bluish- 
ash. 

g.    Painted.  J>ucks.    Histrioiiicus: 

Similar  in  general  form  to  f ,  but  lack  the  the  long  cen- 
tral tail  feathers,  and  are  singularly  marked  with  white,  chest- 
nut and  black. 

1.  HARLEQUIN  DUCK,  H.  HISTRIONICUS.  16.75;  bill, 
1.60;  blackish  tinged  with  slaty;  triangle  in  front  of  eye,  spot 
on  back  of  head,  line  on  neck,  two  crescents  on  sides,  and 
markings  on  back,  white;  line  on  top  of  head  and  flanks, 
chestnut,  fig.  159.  Female,  ashy-brown,  mottled  with  whit- 
ish below;  whitish  spot  in  front  of  eye  and  one  of  pure  white 
•  on  back  of  ear  coverts.  Breeds  in  N.  A.  from  Newfoundland 
northward  chiefly  in  the  interior ;  comes  south  in  Nov.  to  win- 
ter quite  commonly  in  the  Bay  of  Fundy  and  rarely  to  the 
coast  of  Mass,  and  southward  to  N.  J. 

h,    Eiders.    Soinateria. 

Large  ducks  which  frequent  the  sea  coast;  males,  black 
and  white  ;  females,  brown  :  bill,  rather  long,  provided  at  base 
with  a  divided,  fleshy  projection  that  extends  on  to  the  fore- 
head. 

1.  AMERICAN  EIDER.  S.  DRESSERI.  25.00;  bill,  2.40; 
head,  neck,  and  above,  white;  forehead,  line  through  eye. 
and  beneath,  black ;  portion  of  head,  glossed  with  greenish, 


136  DUCKS. 

fig.  160.     Female,  reddish-brown  transversely  banded  with 
dark-brown.     Young  male,  similar  to  female.     Breeds  on  the 
Fig.  159.  Fig.  158. 


jv,  c,  g,  i.  i-i5.        wYc,  f,  i.  i-isf 

Atlantic  coast  from  northern  Me.  to  Labrador;  winters  from 
Mass,  to  Del.  and  west  to  the  Great  Lakes;  comes  south  in 
late  Oct. ;  north  in  April ;  common,  but  on  the  coast  of  Mass, 
keeps  well  out  to  sea,  feeding  about  islands  that  lie  well  out. 
Nests  placed  on  the  ground  near  the  sea  ;  eggs,  ashy-green. 

1*.  NORTHERN  EIDER,  S.  D.  BORE  ALLS.  Differs  from 
1  in  having  the  fleshy  process  at  base  of  bill  terminating  in  a 
point,  fig.  161.  Breeds  in  northeastern  N.  A.  and  Greenland ; 
south  in  winter  to  coast  of  Mass. 

i.    Arctic  Eiders.  Eritonetta. 

Differ  from  h  in  having  the  base  of  bill  considerably  swol- 
len and  its  fleshy  process  greatly  widened,  fig.  162. 

1.  KING  EIDER,  E.  SPECTABILIS.  Differs  from  h,  1  in 
having  the  top  of  head  bluish-ash  with  black  reduced  to  a 
narrow  line  about  fleshy  process  and  spot  under  eye;  black 
Y-shaped  mark  on  throat,  lower  back  and  wings,  dark-brown. 
Breeds  in  the  Arctic  regions ;  in  N.  A.  south  to  winter  as  far 
as  northern  N.  E.  and  rarely  along  the  coast  to  Ga. 
j.  Black  Scoters.  Oidemia. 

Base  of  bill  slightly  swollen;  color  wholly  black. 

1.  AMERICAN  SCOTER,  O.  AMERICANA.  19.00;  bill, 
1.50;  base  of  bill  orange,  black  terminally ;  feet,  greenish,  fig. 
163.  Female,  dull  brown,  whitish  on  sides  of  head.  Breeds 


PLATK  14. 


BLACK-BILLED  CUCKOO. 


DIRECTORY   TO   BIRDS    OF    EASTERN   NORTH    AMERICA.    137 

in  Labrador  and  the  northern  interior ;  migrates  south  in  mid- 
dle Oct.  to  winter  from  the  coast  of  N.  E.  to  Fla. ;  abundant; 
Fig.  161.  Fig.  160. 


TV,  C,h,  1*.     1-3.  TV,  C,  h,  1.    1-3. 

comes  north  in  April. 

k.    Black  and  White  Scoters.    Melanitta. 

Males  black  and  both  sexes  have  a  large  patch  of  white 
on  wing;  base  of  bill,  considerably  swollen  with  feathers  of 
forehead,  projecting  forward,  fig.  164. 

1.  WHITE-WINGED  SCOTER,  M.  DEGLANDI.  21.00; 
bill,  1.70;  elongated  spot  under  and  back  of  eye,  white;  bill, 
red  black  at  base  and  on  edges;  iris,  yellow;  feet,  reddish- 
brown,  fig.  165.  Female,  dull  brown ;  circular  space  at  base  of 
Fig.  162.  Fig.  163. 


IV,  C,  i,  1.     1-3.  IV,   C,  j,  1.     1-3. 

bill,  elongated  patch  back  of  ear  and  beneath,  whitish. 
Breeding. range  much  as  in  j,  1  and  time  of  migration  the  same. 
Winters  from  the  coast  of  N.  E.  to  the  Carolinas.  Abundant. 
Nests,  placed  on  the  ground ;  eggs,  pale  brown. 


NORTHERN  BLUE  YELLOW-BACK. 
MALE.  FEMALE. 


DIRECTORY   TO   BIRDS  OF   EASTERN   NORTH   AMERICA.       139 

D.      STIFF-TAILED    DUCKS.     Erismaturidae. 

Small  ducks  rather  brightly  colored  in  summer  b  ut  chang- 
ing into  duller  plumage  in  winter;  head,  small;  neck,  large 
and  short;  tail  feathers,  narrowed  Fig.  166. 

and  stiffened,  fig.  166;  entire  plum- 
age, closely  blended. 

a.     Rudder   Ducks. 
Erismatura. 

Bill,  slightly  bent  upward  at 
tip  and  its  nail  is  small  and  bent 
under;  its  edge  is  harder  and  finely 
serrated  and  the  lower  mandible  is 
also  provided  with  a  similar  edging 
at  its  tip,  fig.  166,  showing  under 
side. 

1.  RUDDY  DUCK,  E.  RUBIDA.  15.00;  bill,  1.40;  neck 
and  upper  parts,  chestnut ;  top  of  head,  black,  sides,  white ; 
beneath,  whitish  transversely  banded  with  dusky;  bill  and 
feet,  ashy-blue,  fig.  167.  Female  and  winter  male ;  chestnut 
replaced  by  reddish-brown  marked  with  spots  and  wavy  lines 
of  dusky;  throat  and  line  at  base  of  bill,  whitish.  Breeds 
locally  throughout  N.  A.  south  to  Guatemala ;  migrates  south 
Fig.  167.  Fig.  168. 


N",  D,  a,  1. 


^ 

N,  D,  a,   1.    1-2.  x,  D,  b,  1.    1-2. 

in  Oct.  to  winter  from  the  Carolinas  to  the  Bahamas  and  West 
Indies:  comes  north  in  April.  Common.  Occurs  singly  or 
in  small  flocks  on  both  salt  and  fresh  waters  but  seldom  on 


14O  DUCKS. 

the  ocean,  often  on  small  ponds  and  pools.  Very  unsuspic- 
ious. When  started  flies  swiftly  but  is  apt  to  circle  and  return 
near  the  point  from  which  it  started.  Nests>  placed  on  the 
ground ;  eggs,  whitish. 

b.    Black-faced  Ducks.    Nomonyx. 

1.  MASKED  DUCK,  N.  DOMINICUS.  13.00;  bill,  1.40; 
front  of  head,  black ;  back  of  head  and  neck,  deep  reddish- 
brown  becoming  paler  on  the  low- 
er surface  of  body ;  white  wing- 
patch  ;  back,  black  with  feathers 
margined  with  reddish  ;  bill,  blu- 
ish with  a  narrow  stripe  of  black  ; 
feet,  gray,  fig.  168.  Female,  dull- 
er with  top  of  head  and  two  • 
stripes  on  its  sides,  blackish. 
Tropical  America,  including 
some  portions  of  the  West  Indies  ; 
accidental  in  Wis.,  N.  Y.,  and 
Mass.  IV,  E,  a,  1.  1-6. 

E.    GEESE.    Aiiseridae. 

Usually  large  birds  with  long  necks  and  quite  long  legs 
well  fitted  for  walking.  Bill,  rather  short  and  high  at  base. 
Sexes,  similar.  Nests  placed  on  the  ground;  eggs,  6  to  10, 
dirty-white  or  yellowish.  Flight,  heavy,  direct,  often  in  lines 
side  by  side  or  in  Y-shaped  flocks.  Notes  loud  and  sonorous, 
a.  White  Geese.  Chen. 

Greater  portion  of  plumage  either  white  or  very  light  in 
color;  bill  and  feet,  purplish-red.  Young,  with  head  and 
neck  grayish. 

1.  BLUE  GOOSE,  C.  CAERULESCENS.  28.00;  grayish- 
brown,  bluish  on  wing  coverts ;  head  and  neck,  white,  fig.  169. 
Breeds  on  the  eastern  shore  of  Hudson  Bay ;  migrates  south 
through  the  interior  to  winter  on  the  coast  of  the  Gulf  of 
Mexico  west  of  Louisana ;  rare  on  the  Atlantic  coast. 


DIRECTORY   TO   BIRDS    OF   EASTERN    NORTH   AMERICA.     141 

2.  LESSER  SNOW  GOOSE,  C.  HYPERBOREA.  25.00; 
white ;  primaries,  black,  fig.  170.  Breeds  in  Alaska ;  migrates 
south  in  winter  to  southern  111.  and  southern  Cal;  casual  in 
N.  E. 

2*.     GREATER  SNOW  GOOSE,  C.  11.  NIVALIS.     Differs 
from  2  in  being  larger,  35.00.     Breeds  on  the  eastern  coast  of 
Hudson  Bay ;  migrates  south  in  winter  very  rarely  to  N.  E. 
and  southward  as  far  as  Cuba ;  rare  in  U.  S. 
b.    Gray  Geese.    Anser. 

Large  gray  geese  with  both  upper  and  under  tail  coverts 
white,  and  tail  tipped  with  white. 

1.  AMERICAN  WHITE-FRONTED  GOOSE,  A.  GAMBELI. 
30.00 ;  bluish-gray  above,  brownish  on  head  and  neck  ;  fore- 
head, white;  grayish-white  beneath  irregularly  spotted  on 
breast  with  black,  fig.  171.  Breeds  far  north  in  N.  A.,  mi- 
grating south  in  Oct.  to  winter  in  abundance  in  the  south- 
west as  far  south  as  Mexico ;  return  north  in  March ;  rare  on 
the  Atlantic  coast  but  occurs  as  far  south  as  Cuba, 
Fig.  170.  Fig.  171. 


E,  a,   2.     1-18.  JV,    E,  b,   1.     1-4. 

2.  WHITE-FRONTED  GOOSE,  A.  ALBIFRONS.     A  little 
smaller  than  1  and  with  a  considerably  smaller  bill.     North- 
ern parts  of  eastern  hemisphere;  accidental  in  Greenland. 

3.  BEAN  GOOSE,  A.  FABALIS.     Differs  from  1  in  the 
absence  of  white  on  forehead  and  dark  mottling  beneath. 
Northern  portions  of    eastern    hemisphere;     accidental    in 
Greenland. 


142 


GEESE. 


40.00;  tailfeath- 
Fig.  172. 


E,  c,    1.     1-4. 


c.    Short-billed  Geese.    Branta. 

Bather  large  geese,  dark  above,  lighter  beneath  ;  head  and 
neck,  conspicuously  marked  with  black  and  white ;  bill,  short 
and  black ;  feet,  black. 

1.  CANADA  GOOSE,  B.  CANADENSIS. 
ers,  18  to   20   in   number;    head 

and  neck,  black;  white  patch  on 

cheeks    usually    meeting   on 

throat;  brownish-gray  above, 

lighter  below ;  upper  tail  coverts 

and   posterior  portions    below,  t 

white,  fig.  172.    Breeds  in  north-  " 

ern  U.  S.  and  British  Provinces ; 

migrates  south  in  early  Nov.  to 

winter  from    Chesapeake   Bay 

south  to  Fla.  and  Mexico  ;  returns  north  in  March.  Abundant. 

2.  HUTCHINS'  GOOSE,  B.  HUTCIIISSII.  Much  smaller 
than  1,  32.00.     Breeds  in  Arctic  N.  A. ;  migrates  south  in  Oct. 
through  western  U.  S.  and  Mississippi  Yalley  to  winter  from 
Kansas  southward;  returns  north  in  March. 

3.  CACKLING  GOOSE,  B.  MINIMA.     Differs  from  2  in 
being  smaller,  24.00;  tail  feathers,  14  to  16;  distinct  white 
collar  on  lower  neck  ;  nearly  or  quite  as  dark  below  as  above. 
Breeds  on  the  northern  Pacific  coast;  migrates  south  in  win- 
ter into  western  U.  S. ;  rarely  east  to  Wis. 

Fig.  173.  4.    BARNACLE  GOOSE,  B. 

LEUCOPSIS.  26.00;  fore  part  of 
head,  white;  space  in  front  of 
eye,  occiput,  neck  and  chest, 
black ;  bluish-'gray  above  some- 
what banded  with  black  and 
white;  grayish- white  beneath, 
fig.  173.  Northern  parts  of  Old 
World ;  casual  in  eastern  N.  A. 
E,  c,4.  1-4. 


DIRECTORY   TO   BIRDS    OF   EASTERN   NORTH   AMERICA.      143 

5.  BRANT,  B.  BEKNICLA.     No  white  on  head,  neck  with 
a  patch  of  white  streaks  on  sides  of  mid-  Fig.  174. 
die  ;  brownish-gray  above  ;  pale  gray  be- 
neath, fig.  174.     Breeds  in  the  Arctic  re- 
gions; in  N.  A.  chiefly  on  the  Atlantic 

coast :  migrate  south  in  Oct.  and  Nov.  to 
winter  in  southern  U.  S.  ;  return  north  in 
April ;  occur  chiefly  on  the  coast  or  out  at 
sea  in  migration. 

6.  BLACK  BRANT,  B.  NIGRICANS. 
Differs  from  5  in  being  a  little  smaller,  in 
having  the  white  on  neck  extended  across 
the  front,  and  in  being  considerably  dark- 
er beneath.     Breeds  in  Arctic  N.  A.  mi-     JN  ,  E,  C,  5.  1-4. 
grating  south  through  the  west  and  wintering  as  far  south  as 
Lower  California  ;  casual  on  the  Atlantic  coast. 

b.    Tree  Ducks.    Dendrocygna. 

Medium  sized,  duck  like  birds  with  long  legs  and  strik- 
ing colors,  reddish-brown,  chestnut,  and  black.  Eggs,  10  to 
15,  yellowish  or  pale  greenish. 

1.  FULVOUS  TREE  DUCK,  D.  FULVA.  21.00;  head, 
neck,  and  below,  light  cinnamon ;  back,  black  with  the  feath- 
ers tipped  with  cinnamon ;  bill,  black.  Southern  border  of 
U.  S.  from  La.  westward  and  southward  to  Mexico;  casual  in 
N.  C. 

F.    SWANS.    Cygnidae. 

Large  birds  with  neck  longer  than  body ;  swim  with  ease 
and  have  the  power  of  elevating  the  enlarged  secondaries 
which  serve  as  sails ;  fly  with  great  swiftness,  when  migrat- 
ing moving  high  in  air,  often  in  Y-shaped  flocks;  cries,  loud 
and  harsh.  Colors,  white,  black  and  white,  or  wholly  black. 
a.  White  Swans.  Olor. 

Pure  white ;  bill  and  feet,  black;  young,  tinged  with 
brownish  on  head  and  neck ;  bill  and  feet  lighter.  Nests, 
placed  on  the  ground;  eggs,  3  to  5,  white  or  buff.  Usually 
frequent  inland  waters  both  salt  and  fresh. 


1  WHOOPING  SWAN,  O.  CYGNUS.  60.00;  basal  por- 
tion of  bill,  including  nostrils,  yellow ;  nostrils,  in  center  of 
bill.  Northern  parts  of  eastern  hemisphere;  occasional  in 
southern  Greenland. 

2.  WHISTLING  SWAN,  O.  COLUMBIANS.  Differs  from 
1  in  being  a  little  smaller  and  having  only  a  small  spot  of  yel- 
low at  base  of  bill.     Breeds  far  north  migrating  south  in  au- 
tumn to  winter  from  the  Chesapeake  to  the  Gulf  coast ;  very 
rare  on  the  Atlantic  coast  north  of  Maryland. 

3.  TRUMPETER  SWAN,  O.  BUCCINATOR.  Larger,  65.00; 
bill,    wholly  black  with  nostrils  nearer  base;  tail  feathers, 
usually  24.     Breeds  in  the  interior  of  N.  A.  from  Iowa  north- 
ward ;  casual  on  the  Atlantic  coast. 

O.     JVAIL-BIDL.JL.EJ}  WA13ERS. 
Odontog-lossae . 

Large  birds  with  very  long  necks  and  legs,  webbed  toes, 
Fig.  175.  and  bill  abruptly  bent  in  the  mid- 

dle; partly  or  wholly  scarlet.  Fre- 
quent islands  and  seaboards  in 
the  tropics  or  subtropics.  Cries, 
sonorous  and  goose-like.  Flight, 
rapid  and  direct  with  rather  slow 
wing-beats,  and  with  outstretched 
neck  and  legs.  Nests  built  of 
marl  piled  in  the  form  of  a  trun- 
cated pyramid  ;  eggs  1  sometimes 
2,  greenish  covered  with  a  chalky 
incrustation.  Young  helpless  and 
fed  by  regurgitation.  'Food  small 
mollusks  which  are  procured  from 
the  bottom  of  the  water  by  im- 
mersing the  head  and  inverting  it 
so  that  the  upper  mandible  is  un- 
derneath. 

O,  A, 


DIRECTORY   TO   BIRDS    OF    EASTERN   NORTH   AMERICA. 

A.    FLAMINGOES.    Phoenicopteridae. 

Characters  as  above. 

a.    Flamingoes.    Phoenicopterus. 

Characters  as  above. 

1.  AMERICAN  FLAMINGO,  P.  RUBER.  45.00;  scarlet; 
primaries,  black,  fig.  175.  Young,  grayish-white  more  or  less 
mottled  with  darker  gray.  Nestlings,  wholly  white.  Breeds 
in  southern  FJa.,  the  Banamas,  West  Indies  and  Atlantic 
coast  of  Tropical  America. 

P.     GROUSE,   QUAILS,  ETC. 


Birds  of  varying  size  with  feet  fitted  for  walking  ;  bills 
hard,  adapted  for  gathering  seeds  and  other  vegetable  matter 
and  insects.  Eggs,  many,  placed  on  the  ground  in  rudely 
constructed  nests  ;  young  active  when  hatched  and  covered 
with  down  and  capable  of  feeding  themselves.  All  run  rap- 
idly, often  hiding  when  alarmed  to  rise  suddenly  when  ap- 
proached closely. 

A.    PARTRIDGES.    Perdicidae. 

Small  or  medium  sized  birds  with  rather  short,  rounded 
wings  and  short  tails.  Sexes,  not  similar.  Fly  well  for  short 
distances,  usually  moving  in  a  straight  line  with  quick  wing- 
beats. 

a.    Bob-whites.    Colinus. 

Rather  plainly  marked  birds  with  the  feathers  of  head 
only  slightly  elongated.  Young,  unable  to  fly  until  well 
grown.  Frequent  the  open  country.  Eggs,  white.  Not  mi- 
gratory. Social,  congregating  in  flocks  of  from  10  to  20  or 
more. 

1.  BOB-WHITE,  C.  VIRGINIANUS.  10.00;  above,  chest- 
nut marked  with  ashy,  buff,  and  dark  brown  ;  forehead,  line 
over  eye,  and  throat,  white  ;  patch  on  neck  extending  on  either 
side  to  bill,  black  ;  beneath,  creamy  streaked  on  upper  breast 
and  sides  with  chestnut;  iris,  bill,  and  feet,  brown,  fig.  176. 


146  PARTRIDGES. 

Female  differs  in  having  the  white  about  head  replaced  by 
buff.  Downy  young,  buff  streaked  with  dark-brown,  plate 
12.  mois,"  Bob-white"  OT"  Mo  re-wet",  sometimes  ^No-more- 
-wet";  also  a  chuckling  when  dis-  Fig.  176. 

turbed  and  a  call  when  a  bevy  is  sep- 
arated. Eastern  U.  S.  from  southern 
Me.  to  Fla. 

1*.  FLOBIDA  BOB-WHITE,.C. 
v.  FLORIDANUS.  Smaller  with  larger 
bill  and  feet;  darker  with  black  of 
breast  considerably  extended  over 
upper  breast.  Florida. 

B.    GROUSE.    Tetronidae.    1*7  A,  a,  1.    MO. 

Larger  birds  with  feathers  of  head  considerably  elonga- 
ted and  crest-like;  tarsi,  feathered,  naked  colored  space 
over  eye ;  toes,  with  fringe-like  scales  on  the  sides.  •  Eise  on 
the  wing  with  a  rapid  whirring  sound  and  fly  swiftly  with 
quick  wing-beats  but  usually  in  a  straight  line,  often  sailing 
with  outstretched  wings  before  alighting.  Kun  swiftly  when 
down.  Nests  on  the  ground,  eggs  buffy,  sometimes  spotted. 
a.  Spruce  Grouse.  Canacliites. 

Kather  small  grouse  with  moderately  long  tails  and  dark 
colors ;  naked  space  over  and  around  eye,  red ;  toes,  slightly 
webbed  and  these  are  feathered.  Eggs,  spotted. 

1.  CANADA  GROUSE,  C.  CANADENSIS.  15.50;  black, 
banded  above  with  ashy  and  chestnut  and  blotched  and  band- 
ed below  with  white ;  terminal  band  on  tail,  chestnut,  fig.  177. 
Female  duller  with  much  of  the  black  replaced  by  chestnut, 
especially  or4  the  breast.  Young,  much  more  reddish.  Brit- 
ish America  east  of  the  Rocky  Mountains  and  into  the  U.  S. 
in  the  northern  portions  of  Minn.,  Mich.,  N.  Y.,  and  N.  E. 
Yery  unsuspicious  birds  inhabiting  the  coniferous  forests. 
b.  Wood  Grouse.  Boiiasa. 

Larger  birds  with  longer  tails  and  prominent  ruffs  of  black 
feathers  on  sides  of  neck  which  are  rounded  terminally.  The 
young  acquire  their  wing  feathers  whe.n  only  a  few  days  old 
and  fly  quite  well  when  half  grown. 


DIRECTORY   TO   BIRDS  OF   EASTERN   NORTH   AMERICA.       147 

BUFFED  GKOUSE,  B.  UMBELLUS.  18.00;  reddish-brown 
above  mottled  and  spotted  with  dark-brown  and  ashy-white ; 
reddish-brown  band  across  breast ;  remaining  under  parts, 
white  banded  with  brown ;  tail,  tipped  with  ashy  in  which 
there  is  a  sub-terminal  band  of  brown,  fig.  178.  Female  dul- 
ler with  a  smaller  tail.  Eastern  U.S. "south  to  the  mountains 
of  northern  Ga.,  and  southern  Canada.  Frequents  brushy 
woodlands.  Note,  a  whistling  chuck-  Fig.  177. 

le  given  when  alarmed;  also  give  the 
drumming  sound  in  spring,  summer  f 
and  autumn ;  this  begins  loud  and 
distinct,  increases  in  rapidity,  but , 
diminishes  in  volume  and  dies  away 
almost  as  a  continuous  murmur.  Has 
the  habit  of  spreading  the  fan-like 
tail  and  turning  it  from  side  to  side  to 
attract  attention  to  itself  when  ac- 
companied by  its  young,  Nests  in 
early  May. 

1*.     CANADIAN  HUFFED 
GKOUSE,    B.    u.    TOGATA.      Differs 
from  1  in  being  grayer  above  especial-       IP,  B,  a,  1.     1-12. 
ly  on  tail  and  in  having  the  brown  markings  broader.  Inhab- 
Fig.  178.  its  the  spruce  forests  of 

northern  N.  E.,  northern 
N.  Y.  and  the  British  Pro- 
vinces north  to  James  Bay, 
west  to  Oregon  and  British 
Columbia. 

c.    Ptarmigans. 
Lagopus. 

Medium  sized,  cOmpact- 
ly  formed   grouse  that   in- 

B,  b,   1.     1-12.  habit  cold   regions  and 

which  are  nearly  white  in  winter,  fig.  179,  but  change  to  a 


148 


PTARMIGANS. 


brown  dress  in  summer,  fig.  180 ;  entire  feet,  thickly  feath- 
ered; upper  tail  coverts  elongated,  sometimes  as  long,  or 
longer  than  tail.  Tail,  in  all  of  our  species,  black. 

Fig.  179.  1.    WILLOW  PTAR- 

MIGANS. L.  LAGOPUS. 
15.00;  shafts  of  seconda- 
ries, white.  Summer 
dress ;  reddish-cinnamon 
excepting  a  greater  por- 
tion of  wings,  middle  un- 
der parts,  and  feet, 
which  remain  white, 

a  B,  c,  1.     1-8.  spotted  and  banded  above 

and  finely  banded  across  breast  and  on  sides  with  black. 
Breeds  in  Arctic  and  sub-Arctic  regions,  in  America  south  to 
Sitka  and  the  British  Provinces;  accidental  inN.  E.  (Me.  and 
Mass.). 

1*.  ALLEN'S  PTARMIGAN,  L.  L.  ALLENI.  Shafts  of 
secondaries,  black  ;  primaries,  more  or  less  blotched  with  dus- 
ky. Newfoundland. 

2.  ROCK  PTARMIGAN,  L.  RUPESTRIS.  14.00;  bill, 
small  and  slender;  lores,  black.  Summer  dress;  grayish 
above,  coarsely  and  irregularly  banded  and  mottled  with 
black ;  top  of  head,  blackish,  feathers  tipped  with  reddish  ; 
sides  of  head  and  throat  mixed  white  and  dusky;  upper 
breast  and  sides,  brownish,  barred  with  dusky;  remaining 
under  parts,  white.  Arctic  America  south  to  Alaska,  Labra- 
dor, and  the  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence. 

2*.  REINHARDT'S 
PTARMIGAN,  L.  B.  REIN- 
HARDI.  Differs  from  2  in 
summer  in  being  less  regu- 
larly and  more  coarsely 
banded  above,  where  the 
black  predominates,  varied 
with  pale  grayish-buff. 
Greenland,  western  shores , 
of  Cumberland  Gulf,  and 
northern  Labrador.  P*,  B,  c,  1.  1-8. 


Fig.  180.. 


DIRECTORY   TO    BIRDS    OF    EASTERN    NORTH   AMERICA. 


3.  WELCH'S  PTARMIGAN,  L.  WELCHI.  Differs  from 
2*  in  summer  in  being  darker  above  where  many  feathers 
are  tipped  with  white;  head,  neck,  upper  breast,  and  sides, 
rather  coarsely  banded  with  black,  grayish-white,  and  gray- 
ish-buff ;  throat,  white.  Newfoundland. 

d.    Prairie  Grouse.    Tympanuchus. 

Rather  large,  strongly  built  grouse,  light  colored,  but 
banded  with  dusky  ;  wings,  long,  tail,  short  ;  feathers  of  sides 
of  upper  neck,  elongated  into  an  erectable  tuft,  beneath 
which  is  a  naked  space  capable  of  expansion.  Inhabit  prai- 
ries or  brushy  plains.  Notes  in  the  breeding  season  a  loud 
booming  given  by  the  male  when  strutting  with  uplifted  neck 
plumes  and  extended  pouches. 

1.  PRAIRIE  HEN,  T.    AMERICANUS.      18.50;  yellowish 
and  buffy  above  and  on  Fig.  181. 

throat  ;  white  beneath  ; 
throat,  without  bands, 
fig.  181  ;  feathers  of  neck 
tuft,  rounded  at  tips,  fig. 
182.  Prairies  of  Mich. 
and  westward. 

2.  HEATH    HEN, 
T.  CUPIDO.    Differs  from 
1  in  having  the  brown 
bandings  broader  and 

the  tips  of  the  feathers  of  P,  B,   d,  1.     1-8. 

the  neck  tufts  pointed,  fig.  183.     Martha's  Yineyard,  Mass. 
e.    Sharp-tailed  Grouse.    Pedioecetes. 

Differs  from  d  in  the  absence  of  neck  tufts,  in  being  more 
irregularly  banded  and  spotted  above  where  there  are  large 
rounded  xwhite  spots  on  wings;  white  beneath  with  Y-shaped 
marks  of  dusky.  Inhabit  similar  regions. 

1.  PRAIRIE  SHARP-TAILED  GROUSE,  P.  CAMPESTRIS. 
17.00  ;  quite  rusty  above.  Great  Plains  of  the  U.  S.  east  to 
Wis.  and  northern  111. 


15O  TURKEYS. 

C.    TURKEYS.    Meleagridae. 

Large  birds  with  naked  heads  and  necks  with  a  tuft  of 
black  bristles  depending  from  up-        Fig.  183, 
per  breast ;  tail,  long  and  fan-like ; 
tarsus,  furnished  with  a  spur. 
a.    Turkeys.    Meleagris. 

Feathers,  more  or  less  irides- 
cent. 

1.  WILD  TURKEY,  M.  GAL- 
LIP  AVO.  45.00;  differs  from  the 
dark  form  of  the  well  known  do- 
I*,  B,  d,  1.  mestic  turkey  in  being  rather  more  P,  B,  d,2. 
brilliant  in  the  iridescent  tints  and  in  having  the  feet  red- 
dish. U.  S.  from  Chesapeake  Bay  to  the  Gulf  Coast  and  west 
to  the  plains. 

1*.  FLORIDA  TURKEY,  M.  o.  OSCEOLA.  Darker  than 
1  with  little  white  on  wings,  this  when  present  appears  as  de- 
tached bars  which  are  narrow  and  broken,  not  reaching  the 
shaft  of  the  feather.  Southern  Fla. 

Q.  PIGEOTVS.  OolnmJbae. 
Birds  of  varying  size  with  long  wings  and  well  developed 
tails ;  bill,  weak  and  with  a  soft,  naked  space  above  nostrils. 
Flight,  rapid  and  direct  with  quick  wing-beats.  Eggs  2, 
white,  placed  in  stick-built  nests  often  in  trees  but  sometimes 
on  the  ground  or  rocky  shelves  of  caves ;  young  hatched  help- 
less and  naked  and  are  fed  by  regurgitation.  Inhabit  all  sec- 
tions of  temperate  and  tropical  zones.  Food,  vegetable  sub- 
stances. 

A.    DOVES.    Columbidae. 

Tail  feathers,  12  or  14  ;  tarsus,  slightly  feathered  in  front, 
birds  of  wide  distribution. 

a.    Pig-eons.    Columba. 

Rather  large  with  short  or  rounded  tails ;  colors,  dull. 
1.    WHITE-CROWNED    PIGEON,    C.    LEUCOCEPHALA. 
13.00;  dark  slaty-blue;  top  of  head,  white;  sides  and  lower 
portions  of  neck,  iridescent  with  greenish  and  gold  and  each 


DIRECTORY   TO   BIRDS    OF    EASTERN   NORTH   AMERICA.      151 

feather  is  margined  with  black.  Bahamas,  and  some  of  the 
West  Indies;  rather  uncommon  on  the  Fla.  Keys.  Notes, 
given  in  a  minor  key  much  those  of  some  owls ;  "  Wof,  wof, 
iv o,  co-woo"  ;  the  first  three  notes  are  repeated  several  times, 
then  the  last  is  long  drawn  out.  Social,  occurring  in  flocks 
and  breeding  in  communities. 

b.    Long-tailed  Pig-eons.    Ectopistes. 

Medium-sized  pigeons  with  long  pointed  tails  that  are 
conspicuously  marked  with  white. 

1.     PASSENGER  PIGEON,  E.  MIGRATORIUS.     16.50 ;  up- 


Fig.  184. 


per  parts,  head,  neck,  and  sides,  ashy- 
blue;  beneath,  purplish-red;  under  tail 
coverts  and  tip  of  tail,  white ;  sides,  and 
back  of  neck  iridescent  with  violet, 
green,  and  gold,  fig.  184.  Breeding 
range  now  restricted  to  portions  of  the 
C  a  n  a  d  a  s  and  the  northern  border  of 
middle  U.  S.  but  formerly  ranged 
through  eastern  N.  A.  from  Hudson  Bay 
southward.  Alarm  note,  a  kind  of 
laughing  coo.  Yery  social,  occurring  in 
large  flocks  and  breeding  in  communi- 
ties. 
c.  Spotted  Doves.  Zenaidura. 

Generally  similar  to  b  but  with  bill  Q,  A,  b,  1.  1-8. 
more  slender  and  conspicuously  spotted  on  secondaries  with 
black. 

1.  MOURNING  DOYE,  Z.  MACROURA.  12.00;  reddish- 
brown  above  under  tinted  with  bluish  ;  purplish-red  beneath 
becoming  lighter  behind  and  ashy-blue  on  sides;  tail,  except- 
ing central  feathers,  broadly  tipped  with  white  and  crossed 
above  this  by  a  black  band  ;  spot  on  sides  of  upper  neck,  black ; 
below  it  an  iridescent  patch  of  purple  and  gold,  fig.  185 ;  fe- 
male, duller;  tail,  shorter.  N.  A.  from  southern  Maine  and 


152  DOVES. 

Canada  south  to  Panama ;  not  common  on  the  Bahamas ;  lo- 
Fig.  185.  cal  in  distribution.     Social  but  not  dur- 

ing the  breeding  season  and  never  con- 
gregating in  very  large  flocks.  Breeds 
in  late  June.  Flight,  swift  and  direct 
and  when  rising  the  wings  produce  a 
whistling  sound.  Note,  a  mournful 
double  coo.  Feeds  on  the  ground,  but 
a  flock  will  often  sit  together  side  by 
side  on  the  branches  of  a  tree, 
d.  Short-tailed  Doves.  Zeiiaida. 
Kather  compactly  formed,  medium 
sized  doves  with  short  rounded  tails. 

1.  ZENAIDA  DOYE,  Z.  ZENAIDA. 
11.00;  yellowish-red  above  overwashed 
Q,  A,  c,  1.  1-8.  with  ashy;  a  narrow  white  wing-band; 
beneath  and  on  sides  of  head  and  neck,  reddish-brown  be- 
coming bluish  on  sides,  flanks  and  under  tail  coverts;  small 
bluish-black  spot  behind  eye  and  a  larger  one  on  side  of  neck 
where  there  is  an  iridescent  patch  of  purple  and  green.  Com- 
mon on  the  Bahamas  and  in  some  of  the  West  Indies ;  rare  on 
the  Fla.  Keys.  Not  at  all  social,  rarely,  if  ever  occurring 
even  in  small  flocks ;  lives  most  of  the  time  on  the  ground. 
The  coo  consists  of  two  notes,  the  first  uttered  with  a  falling 
inflection,  the  second  follows  quickly,  but  is  not  as  prolonged, 
then  "  Who,  ivho,  who"  with  a  decided  pause  between  the 
first  two ;  all  are  loud,  but  in  a  minor  key. 

e.    Little  Doves.    Columbigalliiia. 
Very  small  doves  with  short  tails  and  -slender  bills  that 
live  mostly  on  the  ground. 

1.  GROUND  DOVE,  C.  PASSEBINA.  7.00 ;  brownish-ash 
above  with  inner  portion  of  wings  spotted  with  black  having 
a  violet  iridescence;  under  portion  of  wing,  showing  in  flight, 
chestnut;  beneath,  purplish-red  with  breast  obscurely  spot- 
ted with  dusky ;  bill,  orange  black  at  tip,  fig.  186.  Female, 
somewhat  duller.  South  Atlantic  and  Gulf  States.  Note,  a 
loud  "  Who"  often  repeated,  always  in  a  minor  tone.  Ordina- 


PLATE  16. 


EUBY-THKOATED   HUMMINGBIRD. 


DIBKCTORY    TO    BIRDS    OF    EASTERN    NORTH    AMKRICA.    L53 

ry  flight  when  among  the  thickets  which  it  frequents,  flitting, 
but  when  passing  over  wid-  Fig.  186. 

er  spaces  direct  and  rapid. 
Very  common. 

2.  BAHAMA  GROUND 

DOVE,      C.     BAHAMENSIS. 

Differs  from  1  in  being  some- 
what smaller  and  paler; 
bill,  nearly  black.  Baham-  Q,  A,  e,  1.  1-3.. 

as  ;  accidental  in  Fla. 

f.    Quail  Doves.    Greotrygon.. 
Medium-sized  doves  with  short  tails  and  large  feet. 

1.  KEY  WEST  QUAIL  DOYE,     G.     CHRYSEA.      11.00: 
dull  chestnut,  purplish-red   beneath,   whitish  behind;  glos- 
sed above  with  metallic  purple  and  bronze ;  broad  stripe  on 
lower  jaw  and  throat,  whitish.     Bahamas,  and  some  of  the 
West  Indies ;  casual  in  summer  on  the  Fla.  Keys.    Notes,  loudy 
long  drawn,  and  particularly  mournful.     Keep  well  in  the 
scrub  seldom  appearing  in  open  places;  run  swiftly  on  the 
ground. 

2.  RUDDY    QUAIL    DOYE,      G.     MONTANA.     Differs 
from  1  in   being  without  the   brillant  metallic  gloss  above, 
this  being  only  slightly  indicated ;  the  jaw  stripe,  throat  and 
lower  parts  behind  are  buff y  ;  above,  purplish-red;  yellowish 
buff  on  breast.     Tropical  America ;  accidental  on  Key  West, 
Fla. 

g.    Partridge  Doves.    Starnoenas. 

Medium  sized,  ground  inhabiting  doves  with  short  round- 
ed tails  and  wings  ;  form,  robust  and  partridge-like. 

1.  BLUE-HEADED  PARTRIDGE  DOYE.  S.  CYANO- 
CEPHALA.  12.00;  deep-brown  above,  more  reddish  beneath  ; 
head,  black  ;  crown,  bluish  ;  line  on  side  of  head  beneath  eye 
and  one  bordering  throat,  white.  Cuba,  casual  on  the  Fla. 
Keys. 


154 


VULTURES. 

VULTURES. 


R. 


Large  birds  with  naked  heads,  large  wings  fitted  for 
strong  flight ;  feet  adapted  for  walking,  not  for  grasping ; 
food,  usually  animal  matter  found  dead  and  sometimes  par- 
tially decayed.  Sexes,  similar. 

A.    DUSKY  VULTURES.    Catliartidae. 

Dusky  throughout  with  no  prominent  white  markings; 

neck  without  spinal  ruff  of  elongated  feathers.     (Note  :-  the 

small  figs.*    representing  birds  in  silhouette  with  extended 

wings  are  flight  contours  as  seen  from  below,  see  fig.  187*etc.) 

a.    Naked-breasted  Vultures.    Cathartes, 

Bill,  short  and  thick  ;  nostrils,  open;  tail,  long  and  round 
ed,  upper  breast,  naked,  but  concealed  by  elongated  feathers 
on  its  sides.  Eggs,  2,  whitish  mottled  with  brown  ;  young, 
covered  with  whitish  down. 

1.  TURKEY  VULTUBE,  C.  AURA.  27.50;  dark-brown 
with  a  slight  bluish  iridescence;  head,  a  livid  red,  fig.  187 
America,  from  N.  J.,  the  Ohio  Valley,  Fig.  187. 

and  Saskatchewan  southward  through 
a  portion  of  the  Bahamas  and  West  In- 
dies to  Patagonia  ;  casual  in  N.  E.  Flight, 
steady,  with  long  sweeping  curves,  sail- 
ing most  of  the  time  without  flapping, 
sometimes  at  a  considerable  height 
where  it  moves  in  wide  circles.  Food, 
mainly  freshly  killed  animals.  Incap- 
able of  producing  any  vocal  sound  save 
a  kind  of  hiss.  .Social,  gathering  in 
large  flocks  during  the  day  and  restin  g 
together  in  larger  numbers  during  the  R,  A,  a,  1.  1-12, 
night. 


DIRECTORY    TO    BIKDS    OF    KASTKRN    ]STORTH    AMERICA. 

b.  Square-tailed  Vultures.  Fig.  187*. 

Catharista. 

Bill,  long  and  slender ;  nostrils,  closed 
by  a  flap  of  skin ;  tail,  short  and  square ; 
breast,  feathered. 

1.  BLACK  VULTURE,  C.  ATRATA. 
26.00;  black,  including  head;  space  on  pri- 
maries beneath,  showing  in  flight,  whitish,  figs.  188,  188*. 
N.  C.  to  Fla.  north  to  the  lower  Ohio  Valley,  west  to  the  Great 
Plains,  south  to  Mexico,  some  of  the  West  Indies  and  over 
most  of  South  America ;  casual  in  N.  E.  andN.  Y.  Flight,  by 
alternate  flapping  and  sailing  with  rapid  wing-beats,  some- 
times ascends  to  a  considerable  height  but  moves  in  compar- 
atively small  circles.  Food,  largely  decaying  animal  matter* 
Rather  more  social  than  a,  1. 

s.    HAWKS,  EAGLES,  Etc. 

JTaleones. 

Birds  of  varying  sizes  with  strongly  curved  and  hooked 
bills;  feet,  with  strong  claws  capable  of  grasping.  Young, 
covered  with  down  when  hatched  but  helpless  and  fed  by 
their  parents.  Females,  larger  than  males. 

Fig.  188.  Fig.  189.  Fig.  190. 


R,  A,  b,  1.  1-12.     S,  A,  b,  1.     1-8. 


A,  a,  1.     1-8 


156  KITES. 

A.    KITES.    Milvidae. 

Birds  of  prey  of  varying  sizes  and  forms  but  which  usu- 
ally capture  living  animals  for  food  by  swooping  suddenly 
upon  them  from  above. 

a.    Fork-tailed  Kites.    Elaiioides. 

Rather  large  birds  with  quite  small  bills  which  do  not 
have  the  upper  mandible  lobed  ;  tarsus  short  and  nearly  na- 
ked; tail,  long  and  deeply  forked,  fig.  190,  190*.  Sexes  sim- 
ilar. 

Fig.  188*.  Fig.  190*.  Fig.  189*. 


1.  SWALLOW-TAILED  KITE,  E.  FOKFICATUS.  22.00; 
black  above  ;  head,  neck,  and  lower  parts,  white.  Breeds  in 
the  U.  S.  from  the  Carolinas  and  Minn,  southward,  in  May; 
migrates  southward  in  Oct.  to  winter  in  South  America  ;  comes 
north  in  April;  casual  in  southern  N.  E.  (Mass.).  Flight, 
swallow-like,  very  graceful  and  easy.  Food,  largely  snakes 
and  other  reptiles,  which  it  catches  by  swooping  downward 
an  d,  grasping  them  with  its  claws,  eats  them  as  it  flies.  Nests, 
placed  in  trees,  eggs,  4  to  6,  greenish-white  spotted  and 
blotched  with  brown  and  umber,  fig.  190. 

b.    Prairie  Kites.    Ictinia. 

Compact  birds  with  a  short,  broad  bill,  cutting  edge  of 
upper  mandible  lobed  :  wings,  long  ;  tail,  but  little  emargin- 
ate.  Sexes,  similar. 

1.  MISSISSIPPI  KITE,  I.  MISSI88IPPIEN8IS.  14.00; 
head,  neck,  and  beneath,  bluish-ash;  black  above  glossed 
with  greenish  ;  longitudinal  stripe  in  each  primary,  showing 
in  flight,  bright  chestnut;  a  wing  bar  of  whitish,  fig.  189. 
Southern  U.  S.  from  S.  C.  and  casually  fromPenn.,  Wis.,  and 
Iowa  southward.  Winters  in  Guatemala. 


DIRECTORY   TO    BIRDS    OF    EASTERN    NORTH    AMERICA. 

c.     Black  and  White  Kites.    Elanus. 

Bill,  short;  wings,  long;  tail,  short  and  square. 

1.  WHITE-TAILED  KITE,  E.  LEUCURUS.  16.00;  head, 
neck,  tail,  and  beneath,  white;  above  with  central  tail  feath- 
ers, ashy-gray ;  patch  on  bend  of  wing,  black.  Breeds  in 
southern  U.  S.  from  S.  0.  and  southern  111.  to  Tex.  and  Cal. ; 
winters  in  South  America ;  casual  in  Mich. 

d.    Curve-billed  Kites.    Rostrhamus. 

Rather  large,  slender  kites  with  well-curved  bills,  long 
wings,  and  nearly  square  tails. 

1.  EVERGLADE  KITE,  R.  SOCIABTLIS.  17.00;  ashy- 
black  above,  brown  beneath ;  base  of  tail  and  its  coverts, 
white,  fig.  191.  Female  browner  above  and  much  marked 
with  reddish  below.  Breeds  in  Fla.,  Cuba,  and  southward 
into  eastern  South  America.  Nests  placed  in  low  bushes  in 
Fla.  in  March ;  eggs,  1  or  2,  bluish-white  spotted  and  blotched 
with  brown  of  varying  shades.  Flies  low  over  marshes  with 
rather  slow  wing-beats  and  erratic  movements.  Food,  large- 
ly fresh-water  mollusks. 
Fig.  191.  Fig.  192. 


S,A,  d,  1.  1-8. 


1-6. 


A,  e,  1. 
e.    Harriers.    Circus. 

Slender  birds  with  long  wings,  legs  and  tail;  lower  por- 
tion of  face  surrounded  by  a  ruff. 


158  FALCONS. 

1.  MARSH  HAWK,  C.  IIUDSONIUS.  23.00;  above,  blu- 
ish-ash ;' upper  tail  coverts,  white;  beneath,  white  spotted 
with  pale  reddish,  fig.  192.  Female  and  young,  brown  above, 
reddish  beneath  spotted  with  dark-brown.  Breeds  through- 
out N.  A.,  nesting  in  marshy  places  in  May;  migrates  south 
in  early  Nov.  to  winter  from  the  Carolinas  southward  to  Pan- 
ama rarely  as  far  north  as  Mass. ;  comes  north  in  April. 
Flies  low  over  fields  and  marshes,  moving  with  an  irregular 
flight  with  rather  slow  wing-beats.  Food,  mice,  frogs,  snakes 
and  lizards.  Common. 

B.    FALCONS.    Falconidae. 

Birds  of  varying  size  having  long,  pointed  wings,  tails  of 
medium  length ;  cutting  edge  of  lower  mandible,  toothed ; 
lower,  notched. 

a.    Gyrfalcons.    Hierofalco. 

Large  falcons  often  white  with  some  dark  bandings  but 
with  no  special  dark  markings  about  head;  breeds  in  north- 
ern latitudes.  Nests  on  cliffs. 

1.  WHITE  GYRFALCON,    H.    ISLANDUS.  22.00;  white 
somewhat  banded  on  back  with  dusky,  fig.  193.     Young,  more 
or  less  streaked  below  with  dusky.     Arctic  regions,  wander- 
ing south  in  winter  to  Labrador  and  northern  Me. 

2.  GRAY     GYRFALCON,      H.      BUSTICOLUS.      Dusky 
throughout  much  streaked  on  head  and  barred  on  tail  with 
whitish,  these  bars  being  nearly  as  wide  as  the  dark  inter- 
spaces ;  banded  elsewhere  above  with  pale  grayish  or  buffy, 
and  streaked  beneath  with  the  same.    Young,  with  streakings. 
beneath  narrower  and  the  upper  parts  are  spotted  with  whit- 
ish or  light  buffy.     Arctic  regions  straggling  southward  in 
winter. 

2*.  GYRFALCON,  H.  K.  GYRFALCO.  Darker  than  2, 
with  very  few  whitish  markings  on  head;  light  tail  bands 
narrower  and  darker  and  bluish  gray;  bandings  above,  in- 
distinct and  streakings  below  broader  than  light  interspaces; 
much  banded  with  dusky  on  flanks  and  thighs.  Young  even 


DIRECTORY    TO    BIRDS    OF    EASTERN    NORTH   AMERICA.      159 


darker.      Northern  Europe,  Greenland  and  Arctic  America 
south  to  northern  Labrador;  rare  in  winter  in  Mass.  andR.  I. 

2**.  BLACK  GYRFALCON,  H.  G.  OBSOLETUS.  Much 
darker  than  2*.  with  the  light  interspaces  below  narrower 
than  the  dark,  sometimes  nearly  obsolete;  above,  nearly  uni- 
form dusky.  Labrador,  south  in  winter  rarely  to  Canada, 
Me.,  Mass.,  and  N.  Y. 

b.     Noble  Falcons.    Khynchodoii. 

Smaller  than  a,  dark  above  and  whitish  below  more  or 
less  banded  on  both  surfaces  with  dark-brown  ;  young  with- 
out bands  above  and  streaked  below;  black  patch  on  side  of 
head. 
Fig.  193.  Fig.  194.  Fig.  195. 


S,  B,  a,  1.  1-6.  S,  B,  b,  1.  1-6.  S,  B,  c,  1.  1-6. 
1.  DUCK  HAWK,  R.  ANATUM.  18.00 ;  dark  slaty  above, 
top  of  head,  black ;  creamy-white  below  transversely  banded 
behind  only,  fig.  194.  Young,  dark-brown  above,  reddish- 
white  below.  N.  A.,  breeding  locally  throughout  the  U.  S., 
nesting  usually  on  cliffs;  migrates  south  in  Sep.  and  Oct.  to 
winter  from  Fla.  southward  into  South  America.  Flight, 
swift  with  rapid  wing-beats,  seldom  sailing.  Captures  its 
prey,  usually  birds,  on  the  wing.  Eggs,  3  or  4,  creamy-white 
very  thickly  mottled  with  dark-brown.  Not  very  common. 


1OO  HAWKS. 

c.    Merlins.    Aesalon. 

Smaller  than  b,  not  banded  above  but  streaked  below  and 
with  hind  neck  with  light  streakings;  no  dark  chest  patch. 

1.  PIGEON   HAWK,    A.    COLUMBABIUS.      ll.~50;   dark 
slaty  above,  lighter  on  tail ;  back  streaked  with  narrow  lines 
of  black  ;  beneath,  pale  buff  quite  heavily  streaked  with  dark- 
brown;  tail,  ashy-white  at  tip,  and  crossed  with  about  four 
bands  of  the  same;  wings  banded  on  inner  webs  with  whit- 
ish, conspicuous   in   flight,   fig.    195.      Female   and   yoiing, 
browner  above  and  more  reddish   below.     Breeds  from   the 
northern  border  of  the  U.  S.  northward,  placing  its  nest  either 
in  the  branches  of  a  tree  or  in  a  cavity  in  rocks  or  a  tree ;  mi- 
grates south  in  Sep.  and  early  Oct.  to  winter  in  northern  S.  A. ; 
north  in  late  March  and  early  April.     Common. 

2.  RICHARDSON'S  MERLIN,  A.  BICHABDSONII.  Differs 
from  1  in  having  the  tail  crossed  by  five  or  six  light  bands 
and  both  outer  and  inner  webs  of  primaries  banded  with  light 
spots.     Western  N.  A.  from  the  Mississippi  River  to  the  Pa- 
cific. 

3.  MERLIN,  A.  BEGULUS.     Differs  from  1  in  having  the 
streakings  on  cheeks  crowded  into  a  patch,  and  in  having 
the  tail  of  male  crossed  by  six  light  bands>  female  by  eight. 
Europe,  Asia,  and  Africa;  accidental  in  Greenland. 

d.  Sparrow  Hawks.  Tinnunculu  • 
Small  hawks  marked  with  chestnut  and  with  two  trian- 
gular black  marks  on  sides  of  head  ;  young  scarcely  different 
from  the  adults ;  nests  placed  in  holes  of  trees  or  in  cavities 
of  rocks  or  buildings;  eggs,  4  to  6,  buff  thickly- spotted  with 
reddish. 

1.  AMERICAN  SPARROW  HAWK,  T.  SPABVEBIUS. 
10.00 ;  chestnut  above,  lighter  below ;  top  of  head  and  wings, 
bluish,  center  of  former  usually  chestnut;  spot  on  occiput, 
bands  on  back,  sub-terminal  band  on  tail  (it  is  tipped  with 
ashy-white),  spots  on  wings  above  and  below,  and  round  spots 
below,  black ;  primaries,  black,  banded  with  white ;  throat 


DIRECTORY   TO    BIRDS    OF    EASTERN   NORTH   AMERICA.   161 

and  sides  of  head,  white,  fig..  196.  The  female  is  heavily 
banded  above  with  dusky  and  streaked  below  with  brown. 
Breeds  throughout  N.  A.  east  of  the  Rocky  Mountains  in  May ; 
migrates  south  in  Oct.  to  winter  from  Mass,  southward ;  north 
in  April.  [Note :-  a  pair  of  Sparrow  Hawks  nested  in  the 
summer  of  1905  in  a  bird  box  near  the  house  of  one  of  my 
neighbors  in  West  Newton,  Mass,  and  in  1908  in  a  hole  in  the 
eaves  of  the  house  of  another  neighbor,  where  a  brood  of  four 
young  were  reared.  All  through  the  last  winter,  1906-07  the 
birds  have  constantly  visited  the  nesting  site,  and  on  several 
occasions  I  have  seen  them  enter  the  hole;  once  all  six  came 
and  went  in  one  after  the  other.  My  neighbor,  Mr.  Ohlsen, 
kindly  presented  me  with  one  of  the  young,  but  it  escaped 
after  I  had  kept  it  a  few  days.] 

2.  CUBAN  SPARROW-HAWK,  T.  DOMINICENSIS.    Dif- 
fers from  1  in  being  chiefly  dark  slaty-gray  above ;  beneath 
deep  rusty.     Female,  rusty  above  and  below;  dark  markings 
on  sides  of  head  indistinct  in  both  sexes  and  inner  webs  of 
wings  are  mostly  white  with  dark  spots  very  small.     Cuba, 
casual  in  Fla. 

3.  KESTREL,  T.  TINNUNCULUS.     Differs  from  1  in  being 
larger,  14.00,  in  having  the  bluish  of  head    extended    over 
portions   of  the   upper  parts,    and   in   being   conspicuously 
streaked  below.     Europe,  accidental  in  Mass. 

Fig.  196.  Fig.  197. 


R,  d,  1.    1-4. 


,  C,  a,  1.     1-6. 


HAWKS. 

e.    Gray  Falcons.    Gennaia. 

Rather  large  hawks  very  pale  without  any  conspicuous 
markings. 

1.  PRAIRIE  FALCON,  G.  MEXICANUS.  18.00;  grayish- 
brown  above,  each  feather  margined  with  lighter  and  indis- 
tinctly barred  with  lighter;  band  on  back  of  head  and  be- 
neath, white  heavily  streaked  with  brown;  secondaries,  with 
lighter  spots  on  outer  webs.  Western  U.  S.  from  the  eastern 
border  of  the  Plains  to  the  Pacific  south  into  Mexico;  casual 
in  111. 
C.  SHORT-WINGED  HAWKS.  Accipitridae. 

Hawks  of  varying  size  with  short,  rounded  wings  and 
long  tails,  fig.  198,  which  seldom  sail  in  circles  but  move  with 
an  irregular  flight,  alternately  flapping  and  sailing ;  legs,  long. 
Nests  in  trees ;  eggs  4,  usually  whitish,  sometimes  spotted. 

a.    Short-winged  Hawks.    Accipiter. 
Characters  as  above. 

1.  SHARP-SHINNED  HAWK,  A.  YELOX.     Male,  11.00  ; 
female,  13.00;  tail,  square,  fig.  197;  slaty-brown  above,  white 
spots  on  scapularies,  four  dusky  bands  on  tail,  inner  webs  of 
wing  feathers  barred  with  white;  beneath,  pale  yellowish- 
rufous  banded  with  white  and  narrowly  streaked  with  dusky. 
Breeds  throughout  N.  A.  south  to  Panama;  winters  from  the 
Middle  States,  south  ward,  rarely  as  far  north  as  Mass.     Goes 
south  in  Oct.,  north  in  April.      Breeds   in   May.      Common. 
Eggs,  heavily  spotted. 

2.  COOPER'S  HAWK,    A.  COOPERII.     Male,    17.00;   fe- 
male, 19.00 ;  differs  from  1  in  having  the  tail  more  rounded 
and  the  legs  and  middle  toe  shorter,  fig.  198*.    Range  and  time 
of  migration  similar  to  1.     Eggs,  seldom  spotted,  never  heav- 

iiy- 

3.  AMERICAN  GOSHAWK,   A.  ATRICAPILLUS.      Male, 
21.00;  female,  23.00;  bluish  above;  top  of  head,  and  broad 
band  on  its  sides,  black  ;  white  spots  on  occiput ;  three  dusky 
tail  bands ;  mixed  white  and  bluish  beneath  mostly  in  bands 
narrowly  lined  with  dusky,  fig.  198.     Young,    brown   above, 


DIRECTORY   TO    BIRDS    OF    EASTERN   NORTH   AMERICA.     1 03 

white  beneath  broadly  streaked  with  brown.  Eggs,  seldom 
spotted.  Breeds  from  northern  N.  E.  northward  passing  south 
In  Nov.  to  winter  from  the  Middle  States  northward ;  north  in 
April.  Sometimes  common  in  Mass. 

D.    BUZZARD  HAWKS.    Buteonidae. 

Rather  large  hawks,  with  quite  long  but  rounded  wings 
and  not  long  tails,  which  often  sail  in  circles  high  in  air ;  form, 
robust;  nests,  in  trees;  eggs,  spotted. 

a.    Naked-legged  Hawks,    Buteo. 

Tarsus,  not  feathered  to  the  toes  in  front. 

1.  RED-TAILED  HAWK,  B.  BORKALIS.  Male,  tail, 
long,  fig.  200;  20.00;  female,  23.00;  brown  above;  tail,  cinna- 
mon, white  at  base  and  with  subterminal  band  of  black  ;  white 
beneath,  streaks  on  throat  and  in  band  on  breast  and  across 
middle  of  body.  Young,  with  tail  paler  and  having  twelve  or 
more  dusky  bands.  Breeds  throughout  eastern  N.  A.  north 
to  about  northern  Labrador ;  feet,  stout :  four  outer  primaries, 
incised  on  inner  webs.  Note,  a  wheezy  scream. 

1*.  KRIDER'S  HAWK,  B.  B.  KRIDERII.  Lighter  above 
than  1,  no  terminal  band  on  tail,  few  or  no  terminal  spots  be- 
neath. Plains  of  the  IT.  S.  from  the  Dakotas  and  Wyoming 
to  Minn,  south  to  Texas;  casual  in  Wis.  and  111. 

Fig.  198.  Fig.  200.  Fig.  201. 


C,  a,  2.  1-10.        S,  D,  a,  1.  1-10.      S,  D,  a,  4.  1-10, 


164  HAWKS. 

1**.  WESTERN  RED-TAIL,  B.  B.  CALARUS.  Differs 
from  1  in  being  darker  above,  tail  always  with  terminal  bar 
and  sometimes  with  two  or  three  above  it;  beneath,  much 
more  reddish,  especially  across  breast.  Western  N.  A.  from 
the  Rockies  to  the  Pacific;  casual  in  111. 

2.  HARLAN'S  HAWK,  B.  HARLANI.     Male,  20.00;  fe- 
male,   22.00;    dark-brown  above   sometimes   streaked   with 
white;  tail,  irregularly  mottled  with  grayish,  white,  rufous 
and  dusky;   beneath,    varying  from   dark,    sooty-brown  to 
white,  but  if  white  then  streaked  across  breast  and  on  sides 
with  dusky.     Young  with  tail    banded   with   grayish-brown 
and  dusky.     Breeds  in  the  Gulf  States  and  lower  Mississippi 
Valley  south  to  Central  America;  casual  north  to  Penn.  and 
Iowa. 

3.  EUROPEAN  BUZZARD,  B.  BUTEO.     Male,  20.00;  fe- 
male, 23.00;  four  outer  primaries,  incised;  variable,  usually 
mixed  brownish  and  whitish,  tail  with  from  10  to  13  narrow 
dusky  bands.     Europe;  accidental  in  Mich. 

4.  RED-SHOULDERED  HAWK,  B.  LINEATUS.  Four  outer 
quills  incised;  male,  21.00;  female,  24.00:  dark-brown  above 
with  feathersj  especially  on  bend  of  wing,  more  or  less  mar- 
gined with  reddish  ;  wings  with  many  white  bands ;  tail  with 
four;  tail,  short  in  proportion  to  spread  of  wings,  fig.  201; 
white  beneath  banded  with  reddish.  Young,  streaked  with 
brown  beneath  ;  tail  with  many  bands.  Breeds  throughout 
eastern  N.  A.  from  Fla.  to  Nova  Scotia;  winters  from  Mass, 
southward.  Note  a  loud,  high  scream,  "ke-ar"  repeated  sev- 
eral times  with  the  last  syllable  prolonged. 

Fig.  197*.         Fig.  198*.         Fig.  200*.  Fig.  201*. 


DIRECTORY   TO   BIRDS    OF   EASTERN   ?TORTH   AMERICA.    165 

4*.  FLORIDA  RED-SHOULDERED  HAWK,  B.  L.  AL- 
LENI.  Differs  from  4  in  being  smaller  and  darker.  South 
Atlantic  and  Gulf  States. 

5.  SWAINSON'S  HAWK,  B.  SWAINSONI.     Three  outer 
quills  incised  ;  male,  19.00  ;  female,  20.00 ;  brown  above ;  wings 
obscurely  banded  with  dusky ;  tail,  tipped  with  whitish  and 
with  about  twelve  bands  of  dusky ;  white  beneath,  unmarked 
on  throat,  elsewhere  banded  with  ashy-red;  there  is  a  dark 
phase  in  which  the  under  parts  are  dark-brown,  and  interme- 
diates occur  between  this  and  the  light  phase.     Young,  red- 
dish-ash beneath,  thickly  marked  with  drop-shaped  streak- 
ings  especially  across  breast.     Western  N.  A.  east  to  111.,  cas- 
ual to  Mass,  and  Me. 

6.  BROAD-WINGED  HAWK,  B.  LATISSIMUS.      Differs 
from  4  in  being  smaller,  15.00-17.00  and  in  having  two  white 
bars  on  tail,  fig.  202.     Young  have  the  throat  whiter.     Breeds 
throughout  eastern  N.  A.  from  Fla.  to  New  Brunswick  ;  goes 
south  in  Oct.  to  winter  from  the  Southern  States  to  northern 
S.  A. ;  comes  north  in  April.     Note,  a  squeaking  whistle. 

7.  SHORT-TAILED  HAWK,    B.  BBACHYURUS.      16.00; 
dark-brown  above  with  tail  crossed  by  about  seven  bands  of 
grayish;   white   beneath,   reddish  on  side  of  breast.     Young, 
more  or  less  streaked    beneath  and  the  reddish  on  side  of 
breast  is  absent.     There  is  a  dark  phase  in  which  the  lower 
parts  are  nearly  dark -brown ;  forehead  always  white.     S.  A. 
north  to  Fla. 

b.    Feather-legged  Hawks.    Archibuteo. 

Differ  from  a  in  being  rather  more  robust,  in  having 
smaller  feet  with  tarsus  feathered  to  toes ;  gape,  narrow ;  food, 
small  animals ;  not  very  active. 

1.  AMERICAN  ROUGH-LEGGED  HAWK,  A.  SAIJCTI- 
JOHAN  >  IF.  Male,  21.00 ;  female,  23.00 ;  dark-brown  above ;  tail 
bands,  white,  6  to  8 ;  yellowish-white  beneath  ;  band  of  spots 
on  breast  and  broad  band  on  abdomen,  brown;  sides  of  head 
and  above  more  or  less  streaked  with  white  and  yellowish, 
fig.  202;  from  this  phase  frequently  rar;  3s  to  a  ne?~'ly  black 


PLATK  17. 


RED-WINGED  BLACKBIRDS. 


DIRECTORY   TO   BIRDS    OF   EASTERN   NORTH   AMERICA.      167 

World;  in  the  U.  S.  breeds  chiefly  in  mountainous  parts  of 
unsettled  districts..  Nests  on  cliffs;  eggs,  2,  white  spotted 
with  brown.  Resident. 

F.    FISH  EAGL.ES.    Haliaetidae. 

Large  birds  with  the  tarsus  naked  and  the  tail  at  least 
white  in  adults ;  food,  very  largely  fish ;  flight,  strong  and  di- 
rect, wing-beats  rather  slow;  often  circle  high  in  air.  Cries, 
harsh  and  loud.  Nests  often  in  trees,  sometimes  on  cliffs; 
eggs,  2  to  3,  white,  unspotted. 

a.    White-tailed  Eagles.    Haliaetus. 

Characters  as  above. 

1.  BALD  EAGLE,  H.  LEUCOCEPHALUS.      Male,  32.00; 
female,  37.00;  dark-brown;  head,  neck,  and  tail,  white;  iris, 
bill,  and  feet,  yellow.     Young,  brown  throughout.     U.  S., 
breeding  in  the  unsettled  districts.     Alarm  note,  a  cackling 
cry.     Frequently  robs  the  osprey  of  fish,  when  it  moves  with 
a  rapid  flight  with  quick  wing-beats.     Resident,  fig.  204. 

1*.  NORTHERN  BALD  EAGLE,  H.  L.  ALASCANUS.  Dif- 
fers from  1  in  being  larger.  N.  A.  north  of  the  U.  S. 

2.  GRAY  SEA  EAGLE,  H.  ALBICILLA.     Differs  from  1 
in  having  the  head  always  brown.     Northern  Europe,  Asia, 
and  Greenland. 

O.    OSPREYS.    JPandionidae. 

Large  birds  with  strong  feet  and  naked  tarsi,  very  long 
wings  and  rather  short  tails,  which  feed  wholly  on  fish. 
Flight,  strong,  direct  with  slow  wing-beats.  Often  sail  in  cir- 
cles over  water;  fish  by  dropping  directly  downward  and  the 
secured  fish  is  carried  head  forward.  Nests,  in  trees ;  eggs, 
3  to  5,  creamy  thickly  spotted  and  blotched* with  reddish. 
Cries,  shrill,  whistling  screams. 

a.    Fish  Hawks.    Pandion. 

Characters  as  above. 

1.  AMERICAN  OSPREY,  P.  CAROLINENSIS.  Male,  22.00; 
female,  24.00;  sides  of  head  and  under  parts,  white  with  a 
band  of  spots  crossing  breast ;  line  through  eye  and  above, 


168  EAGLES. 

dark-brown,  fig.  205.  Breeds  from  Hudson  Bay  to  Fla.  west 
to  the  Pacific.  Winters  from  the  Carolinas  south  to  northern 
S.  A.  Migrates  south  in  Oct. ;  north  in  April. 

H.    VULTURE  EAGLES.    Polyboridae. 

Rather  singular  birds  with  long  wings,  tails  and  legs, 
which  are  chiefly  terrestrial  and  which  live  largely  upon  de- 
caying animal  matter,  but  will  occasionally  catch  living  ani- 
mals. Flight  direct  by  alternate  sailings  and  flappings ;  some- 
times circle  in  air  like  vultures.  Nests  in  trees,  eggs  2  to  4 
whiti&h  spotted  with  reddish-brown. 

Fig,  205.  Fig.  206. 


a.    Caracaras.    Polyborus. 

Characters  as  above. 

1.  AUDUBON'S  CARACAKA,  P.  CHERIWAY.  23.00; 
dark-brown  above  banded  on  upper  tail  coverts  and  tail  with 
dusky,  on  wings  with  white ;  tail,  white  at  base,  bl'ack  at  tip ; 
white  beneath  with  a  dusky  band  on  tibia  and  abdomen,  fine- 
ly banded  elsewhere  with  dusky ;  feet,  yellow,  fig.  206.  Fla., 
Tex.,  and  Arizona  south  to  northern  S.  A.  Resident. 


DIRECTORY   TO   BIRDS    OF    EASTERN   NORTH    AMERICA.    169 


T,     I?ARJEfcOTH, 

Psittaci. 

Birds  of  varying  size,  color  and  form  with  a  strong  hooked 
bill  and  with  two  toes  in  front  and  two  behind. 
A.    LONG-TAILED  P>ARROTS.     Psittacidae. 

Tail,  long  and  pointed;  cheeks,  feathered. 

a.    American  Paroquets.    Coiiurus. 

Medium-sized  parrots  with  long  wings,  green  with  bright 
markings  on  head.  Flight,  very  swift  and  direct  with  rapid 
wing-beats.  Cries,  harsh  and  loud. 

1.  CAROLINA  PAROQUET,  C.  CAROLINENSIS.  13.50; 
green  ;  head  and  neck,  yellow  ;  forehead,  sides  of  head,  and 
inner  webs  of  most  of  tail  feathers,  orange.  Young  with  head 
and  neck  green  more  or  less  spotted  with  yellow,  fig.  207. 
Formerly  ranged  throughout  middle  and  southern  U.  S.  from 
the  Mississippi  Valley  eastward,  now  confined  to  a  small  sec- 
tion of  middle  Fla.  Nests  in  communities;  eggs,  white. 

17.     OWLS.     Stri^i. 

Well  known  birds  of  varying  size,  loose,  fluffy  plumage, 
large  eyes  which  are  directed  forward,  surrounded  by  a  par- 
tial or  entire  disk  of  ray-like  feathers;  bill,  strong  and  hook- 
Fig.  207.  Fig.  208. 


T,  A,  a,  1.     1-6. 


/rv\ 

TJ,  A,  a,  1.    140. 


17O  OWLS. 

ed ;  toes,  two  in  front  and  two  behind;  tarsus  feathered; 
mainly  nocturnal  in  habit.  Young,  inactive  when  hatched 
and  covered  with  whitish  dow,n.  Flight,  direct  with  rather 
slow  wing-beats.  Eggs,  white,  2  to  7.  Food,  small  animals 
and  insects,  and  occasionally  fishes. 

A.    DISKED  OWLS.    Strigidae. 
Light-colored  owls  with  the  facial  disk  perfect,  which 

nest  in  caves  or  deserted  buildings. 

• 

a.    Barn  Owls,    Strix. 

Wings,  very  long;  tail,  short;  plumage  very  soft.  Cries, 
loud  and  shrieking. 

1.  AMERICAN  BARN  x  OWL,  S.  PKATINCOLA.  17.00; 
pale  yellowish-brown,  lighter  beneath,  spotted  everywhere 
with  darker  brown;  edge  of  facial  disk  and  bands  on  wings 
and  tail  also  brownish,  fig.  208.  U.  S.,  rare  in  the  northern 
portions.  Breeds  from  the  middle  sections  southward  where 
it  is  a  resident. 

B.    HORNED  OWLS,  Etc.    Bubonidae. 

Owls  of  varying  sizes,  with  the  plumage  not  as  soft  as 
in  A,  and  the  facial  disk  is  never  as  perfect. 

a.    Dusky  Owls.    Syrnium. 

Dark-colored,  banded  owls  without  ear  tufts  and  with 
plumage  very  full. 

1.  BARRED  OWL,  S.  NEBULOSUM.  20.00 ;  banded  with 
dusky  and  white,  transversely  above  and  on  upper  breast, 
longitudinally  below  this;  iris,  brown,  bill,  yellow,  fig.  209. 
Eastern  U.  S.  from  the  Gulf  States  to  Canada.  Resident. 
Open  nests  in  trees,  eggs,  in  Feb.  and  March.  Cries,  pro- 
onged  hoot's,  "  Woe  -woe  ^vu  woo"  followed  by  a  series  of 
4  Wock  ivock  ivock  ivo-o-o'1'1 .  Common  in  unsettled  sections. 
1*.  FLORIDA  BARRED  OWL,  S.  ]sr.  ALLENI.  Smaller 
and  darker  than  1  with  fewer  feathers  on  toes.  South  At- 
*an"lc  and  Gulf  States.  Very  common. 


DIRECTORY   TO    BIRDS   OF    EASTERN    NORTH    AMERICA.     171 

b.    Gray  Owls.    Seotiaptex. 

Large  gray  owls  with  rather  irregular  whitish  markings 
and  with  toes  densely  covered  with  long,  hair-like  feathers, 

1.  GREAT  GRAY  OWL,  S.  CINERA.  22.00;  gray  irreg- 
ularly barred  above  and  longitudinally  streaked  below  with 
whitish ;  iris  and  bill,  yellow.  Arctic  America  straggling- 
south  in  winter  as  far  south  as  N.  J.  and  111. 


Fig.  209. 


Fig.  210. 


U,  B,  a,  1.     1-11.  TJ,  B,  c,  1.     1-10 

c.    Long-  winged  Owls.    Asio, 

Medium-  sized  owls  with  very  long  wings  and  moderately 
long  tails  ;  plumage  soft  but  net  very  full  ;  form,  slender. 


1.  AMERICAN   LONG-EARED  OWL, 
A.  WILSONIANUS.      15.00;    ear  tufts   long; 
dark  brown  streaked,  spotted  and  mottled 
with    yellowish  white  which  predominates 
below,  fig.  210.     Resident  throughout  tem- 
perate  N.    A.      Occurs   in   thick   swamps. 
Note,  a  single  loud  screech.     Nests,  placed 
in  trees ;  eggs,  in  early  May. 

2.  SHORT-EARED  OWL,     A.  ACCIPI- 
TRINUS.     15,00;  ear-tufts,  very  short;  dark- 
brown  with  the  feathers  prominently  mar- 


Fig.  211. 


U,  B,  c,  2.  1-10. 


172  OWLS. 

gined,  spotted,  barred  and  streaked  with  yellowish,  fig.  211; 
prominent  dusky  spot  on  under  side  of  wing  showing  in 
flight.  Occurs  in  open  sections,  commonly  on  the  sea  coast 
among  low  bushes.  Breeds  in  N.  A.  chiefly  north  of  the  U. 
S. ;  winters  from  southern  N.  E.,  rarely  from  Mass,  south- 
ward ;  migrates  in  Oct.  and  April. 

d.    Horned  Owls.    Bubo. 

Large,  robust  owls  with  prominent  ear  tufts,  long  wings, 
.and  moderately  long  tails;  plumage  not  very  soft. 

1.  GREAT  HORNED  OWL,  B.  VIUGINIANUS.  23.00; 
dark-brown  mottled,  spotted,  barred  and  streaked  with  yel- 
lowish, reddish  and  white;  patch  on  upper  breast,  white,  fig. 
212.  Eastern  N.  A.  from  Labrador  south,  resident  in  the  un- 
settled sections.  Cries,  not  dissimilar  to  a,  1. 

1*.  WESTERN  HORDED  OWL,  B.  v.  SUBARCTICUS. 
Differs  from  1  in  being  much  Fig.  212. 

lighter,  the  white  markings  are 
prominent. 

1**.  DUSKY  HORNED 
OWL,  B.  v.  SATUBATUS.  Dif- 
fers from  1  in  being  much  dark- 
er, the  black  predominating. 
Pacific  coast  from  Cal.  north- 
ward, Labrador  and  H  u  d  s  o  n 
Bay. 

e.    Eared    Owls. 

Megascops.  TJ,  B,  d,  1.     1-12. 

Small,  robust  owls  with  long  wings  and  short 'tails  and 
prominent  ear  tufts. 

1.  SCREECH  OWL,  M.  ASIO.  9.00;  reddish  above, 
white  beneath,  streaked  on  back,  barred  on  wings  and  tail, 
barred  and  streaked  beneath,  with  dusky;  above  from  red 
varies  to  gray,  with  similar  markings  with  a  grayish  tone, 
fig.  213.  Resident  in  temperate  eastern  N.  A.  west  to  the 


U,  B,  e,  1.    1-5. 


DIRECTORY   TO    BIRDS    OF    EASTERN    NORTH    AMERICA. 

plains,  south   to   Ga.      Common.  Fig.  213. 

Nests,   in   holes;    eggs,   in  May. 
Note,  a  shivering  cry. 

1*.  FLORIDA  SCREECH 
OWL,  M.  A.  FLORIDANUS.  Dif- 
fers from  1  in  being  smaller  and 
darker.  South  Atlantic  and  Gulf 
States, 
f.  Bird  Owls.  Nyctalea. 

Small,  rather  slender,  long-winged,  short-tailed  owls 
without  prominent  ear  tufts.  Nests,  in  holes. 

1.    SAW-WHET  OWL,  N.  ACADICA.  8.00;  reddish-brown 
above,  narrow,  white  lines  on  head  and  face  and  white  spots 
elsewhere;  tail   with  three   lines   of   spots;   white   beneath 
Fig.  214.         streaked  with  reddish-brown,  fig.  214. 
Breeds  locally  from  the  Middle  States  north- 
ward, wandering  somewhat  in  winter.     Not 
common.     Note,  a  rasping  cry. 

2.  RICHARDSON'S  OWL,  N.  RICH- 
ARDSONI.  9.00;  differs  from  1  in  color  in 
being  greenish-brown  where  that  is  reddish 
and  in  having  five  lines  of  white  spots  on 
U,  B,  f,  1.  1-8.  tail.  Breeds  from  the  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence, 
northward,  wandering  south  in  winter  into  northern  U.  S. 
Rare. 

g,    Long-tailed  Owls.    Surnia. 

Medium-sized  owls  with  long  wings,  long,  graduated 
tails,  and  compact  plumage;  they  are  rather  diurnal. 

1.  AMERICAN  HAWK  OWL,  S.  CAPAROCH.  15.25; 
dark,  greenish-brown  above  with  narrow  lines  on  head  and 
face  and  spots  elsewhere  of  white;  tail,  with  eight  lines  of 
white  spots;  white  beneath,  spotted  on  sides  of  neck  and 
transversely  banded  elsewhere  with  black,  fig.  215.  Breeds 
from  Newfoundland  northward,  wandering  southward  into 
northern  U.  S.  in  winter. 


174 


OWLS. 


h.    Arctic  Owls.    Nyctea. 

Large  owls  with  long  wings  and  tails,  compact  plumage, 
Fig.  215.       feet  covered  with  long,  hair-like  feathers,  and 
diurnal  habits. 

1.  SNOWY  OWL,  N.  NYCTEA.  22.00; 
white,  more  or  less  spotted,  mottled  and  bar- 
red, especially  above,  with  dark-brown,  fig. 
216;  females  and  young  being  more  heavily 
marked.  Northern  portions  of  northern  hemi- 
sphere, in  N.  A.  breeding  north  of  the  U.  S. 
migrating  south  in  winter  to  t  h  e  Middle 
States.  Nov.  to  April.  Note,  a  whistling  cry. 
C.  GROUND  OWLS.  Athenidae. 

Rather   small   owls  with  long  wings  and 
U,  .B,  g,  1.  1-10.     legs,  short  tails,  and  small  eyes ;  facial 


Fig.  216. 


•disk  very  imperfect. 
a.    Burrowing  Owls.    Speotyto. 

Characters  as  above ;  nests,  placed  in 
holes  in  the  ground. 

1.  BURROWING  OWL,  S.  HYPO- 
OAEA.  10.00 :  yellowish-white  barred 
.and  spotted  with  reddish  or  yellowish 
brown,  the  dark  color  predominating 
above.  Western  U.  S.  from  the  Great 
Plains  to  the  Pacific ;  accidental  in  N.  Y. 
and  Mass. 

V.     CTJCKOOS. 

Slender  birds  of  varying  size  but  never  very  small,  with 
long  tails,  compact  plumage,  and  two  toes  in ''•front  and  two 
behind. 

A.    ANIS.    Crotophagidae. 

Slender  cuckoos  black  in  color,  with  long  tails  of  eight 
feathers,  long  wings  and  bill  compressed,  and  with  the  cul- 
men  of  upper  mandible  elevated  and  ridge-like,  plate  14. 


1-15. 


DIKECTOKY    TO    BIKDS   OF    EASTEKN    NOKTH   AMERICA. 

a.    Black  Cuckoos.    Crotopliaga. 

Characters  as  abov-e. 

1.  ANI,  C.  ANI.  14.00;  feathers  of  head  and  neck  mar- 
gined with  a  bronzy  iridescence.  West  Indies,  Bahamas,  and 
eastern  S.  A.,  casual  in  southern  Fla.  and  La. ;  accidental  in 
Penn.  Cries,  loud  and  in  a  minor  tone.  Flight,  heavy  and 
jay-like.  Social  at  all  times,  several  females  placing  their 
eggs  in  one  nest,  probably  polygamous. 

B.    AMERICAN  CUCKOOS.    Coccyzidae. 

Slender  cuckoos  with  long,  graduated  tails  and  smooth 
plumage;  space  around  eye,  naked. 

a.    Brown-Backed  Cuckoos.    Coccyzus. 

Brown  above,  white  beneath  with  more  or  less  white  on 
tip  of  tail.  Nests,  in  bushes;  eggs,  blue,  unspotted  and  de- 
posited irregularly.  Feathers  of  tibia  elongated.  Flight, 
steady  and  direct  with  rather  rapid  wing-beats,  suggesting  a 
pigeon. 

CUCKOO 


1.  YELLOW-BILLED 
12.00;  tail,  dark,  outer 
feathers,  broadly  tipped 
with  white;  wing, 
strongly  tinged  with  cin- 
namon ;  under  mandible, 
yellow;  space  a  round 
eye,  d  ark,  fig.  217. 
Breeds  in  eastern  tem- 
perate N.  A.  west  to  the 
plains  in  May;  winters 
in  Costa  Rica;  migrates 
in  May  and  Sep.  Notes, 
' '  COTV-CO-COVJ-CO"  rath  er 
brokenly  given  in  a  de- 
cidedly minor  tone. 
Common  most  seasons. 


C.       AMERICANOS. 

Fig.  217. 


V,  B,  a,  1.     1-4. 


1  7O  CUCKOOS. 

2.  MANGROVE  CUCKOO,  C.  MINOR.  Differs  from  1 
in  being  strongly  tinged  with  reddish  yellow  beneath  and  in 
having  dark  space  around  eye  darker.  Breeds  in  the  West 
Indies ;  rare  on  the  Fla.  Keys  and  in  La.  Resident. 

2*.  MAYNARD'S  CUCKOO,  C.  M.  MAYXAKDI.  Differs 
from  2  in  being  much  paler  beneath.  Bahamas,  largely  res- 
ident;  rare  on  the  Fla.  Keys.  Notes,  "Oti-ou-ou-ou-qua-qua- 
qua-coo-coo-co"  The  first  four  are  cuckoo-like,  the. next 
three  harsh,  and  the  last  three  decidedly  cuckoo-like. 

Fig.  218.  3.     BLACK-BILLED  CUCKOO,    C. 

ERYTHKOPHTHALMTJS.     Differs  from  1  in 
having  the  tail   wholly   like   back   nar- 
rowly tipped  with  white,  no  cinnamon 
on  wings,  no  black  on  head,  and  under 
mandible  dark-blue;    naked    space 
around  eye,  red,  plate  14,  fig.  218,  tip  of 
V,  B,  a,  3.       tail  feather.     Breeds  throughout  eastern 
N.  A.  west  to  the  Rockies  and  north  to  Labrador;  winters  in 
S.  A. 

W.     WOODPECKERS.     Piei. 

Well-known  birds  with  chisel-shaped  bills,  large,  strong 
heads,  long  wings,  two  toes  in  front  and  two  behind,  or  one 
absent. 

A.    TRUE  WOODPECKERS.    Picidae. 

Tail  feathers,  stiffened  and  pointed.  Nests,  in  holes 
made  by  the  birds  ;  eggs,  6  or  7,  white.  Young,  naked  and 
helpless.  Flight,  heavy  and  undulating  but  often  swift. 
Drum  on  trees,  etc.  as  a  roll-call. 

a.    Mottled  Woodpeckers.    Sphrygrapicus. 

Woodpeckers  with  rather  short,  slender  bills  and  with 
plumage  much  mottled  above  and  yellowish  below. 

1.  YELLOW-BELLIED  SAPSUCKEE,  S.  VAKIUS.  8.50; 
longitudinal  white  patch  in  wing ;  male  with  top  of  head  and 
throat  crimson  ;  black  patch  on  breast  fig.  219 ;  female,  throat 
white.  Young,  with  the  black  of  breast  replaced  with  gray 


DIRECTORY   TO    BIRDS    OF    EASTERN   NORTH   AMERICA.    L7T 

and  little  red  on  head,  fig.  219;  adult  plumage,  gradually  as- 
sumed.    Breeds  in  eastern   N.    A.  from  Fig.  219. 
northern  Mass,  northward;  winters  from 
the  Carol inas    southward   through   the 
Bahamas  and  West  Indies  to  Costa  Rica. 
Migrates  in   April   and   Oct.     Common. 
Cries,    excepting  the  "yucka"  note,  all 
harsh  and  quite  querulous. 

b.    Banded  Woodpeckers. 

Centurus. 

Woodpeckers  with  stouter,  slightly 
curved  bills,  banded  with  black  and 
white  above,  plain  beneath. 

1.     RED-BELLIED  WOODPECKER,        W,  A,  a,     1-6. 
C.  CAROLINUS.     10.00;  male,  top  of  head  from  bill  to  nape, 
scarlet ;  ashy-gray  beneath  more  or  less  tinged  with  red  ;  up- 
Fig.  220.         per  tail  coverts,  white,  fig.  220;  female  with 
top  of  head  gray,  nape,  scarlet.     Resident  in 
eastern  U.  S.  from  Penn.    southward ;    casual 
as  far  north  as  Mass.     Cries,    harsh  and  quer- 
ulous, with  the  "yucka"''1  note  rarely  given, 
c.    Tri-colored  Woodpeckers. 

Melanerpes, 

Rather  stout  woodpeckers  with  colors ,  red, 
white  and  black,  arranged  in  masses. 

1.  RED-HEADED  WOODPECKER,  M. 
ERYTHROCEPHALUS.  9.00;  head  arid  neck  all 
around,  scarlet ;  band  on  secondaries  and  rump 
and  beneath,  white;  remaining  upper  portions, 
black,  fig.  221.  Young,  head,  gray;  white  of 
secondaries  broadly  banded  with  black.  Sexes,  similar; 
Breeds  in  the  U.  S.  west  to  the  Rockies ;  local  east  of  the  Hud- 
son River,  usually  migratory  north  of  Penn.  Very  noisy,, 
cries,  harsh  and  loud. 


178 

d. 


WOODPECKERS. 


Black  and  White  Woodpeckers,    Dryobates. 

Rather  small  woodpeckers  black  and  white,  especially 
above ;  males  with  some  red  on  head. 

Fig.  221  Fig.  222. 


W,  A,  c,    1.     1-6.  W,  A,  d,  1.     1-6. 

1.  HAIRY  WOODPECKER,  D.  VILLOSUS.  10.00 ;  mark- 
ings on  side  of  head,  stripe  down  back,  bands  of  spots  on 
wings,  outer  tail  feathers,  and  beneath,  white,  otherwise 
black  above ;  male  with  red  on  nape,  fig.  222.  Resident  in 
the  northern  and  middle  portions  of  eastern  U.  S.  Cries, 
sharp,  sometimes  rapidly  repeated  as  a  call. 

1*.  NORTHERN  HAIRY  WOODPECKER,  D.  v.  LEU- 
COMELAS.  Larger  than  1.  Breeds  in  northern  N.  A.  north 
of  the  U.  S.  wandering  somewhat  south  in  winter. 

Fig.  223.  1**.     SOUTHERN  HAIRY  WOODPECK- 

J_J  f'\f  ER,  D.  v.  AU  DUB  ONI  I.  Smaller  than  1. 
South  Atlantic  and  Gulf  States,  north  to  the 
Carolinas. 

2.  SOUTHERN  DOWNY  WOODPECK- 
ER, D.  PUBESCENS.  Differs  f$om  1  in  being 
smaller,  6.50,  and  in  having  the  outer  tail 
feathers  barred  with  black,  fig.  223,  dusky  be- 
neath. South  Atlantic  and  Gulf  States  north 
to  the  Carolinas. 

2*.     DOWNY  WOODPECKER,  D.  P.  ME- 
DIANTJS.     Larger  than  2  and  clearer  white  be- 
i  A,  d,  1.  1-4.  neath.       Middle  and  northern   portions    of 


DIRECTORY   TO   BIRDS  OF   EASTERN   XORTH   AMERICA.      1  79 

eastern  U   S.  and  northward.  Fig.  224. 

3.  COCKADED  WOOD- 
PECKEE,  D.  BOREAL  is. 
8.25 ;  Differs  from  2*  in  be- 
ing transversely  banded 
with  white  above  and 
streaked  on  sides  below 
with  black;  red  in  males 
confined  to  a  small  spot  on 
side  of  nape.  fig.  224.  South- 
ern U.  S.  from  N.  C.  south- 
ward. Somewhat  social  and 
very  noisy;  cries,  harsh  and 
querulous. 

e.    Three-toed  Woodpeckers.    Picoides. 

Black  and  white  woodpeckers  with  three  toes;  males 
with  yellow  on  top  of  head. 

1.  ARCTIC  THREE-TOED  WOODPECKER,  P.  ARCTI- 
cus.  9.50;  wings  banded  with  white  spots  and  sides  with 
black,  fig.  225.  Northern  N.  A.  wandering  south  into  north- 
ern U.  S.  as  far  as  X.  E. 

Fig.  225.  Fig.  226. 


W,  A,  d,  4.     1-5. 


W,  A,  e,  1.    1-6.  W,  A,  e,  2.    1-6. 

2.      AMERICAN     THREE-TOED     WOODPECKER,    P. 

AMERICANUS.     Differs  from  1  in  having  the  entire  back  band- 


Fig.  227. 


18O  WOODPECKEKS. 

ed  with  white,  fig.  226.     Northern  N.  A.  east  of  the  Rockies, 

wandering  south  into  northern  U.  S.  as  far  as  Mass. 

f.    Scarlet-crested  Woodpeckers.    Campephilus. 

Large  woodpeckers  with  short  feathers  on  neck  ;  white 
bills  ;  black  with  white  markings. 

1.  IVORY-BILLED  WOODPECK- 
ER, C.  PBINCIPALIS.  21.00;  seconda- 
ries and  line  on  side  of  neck  extending 
down  back,  white;  back  part  of  head 
and  upper  ireck,  scarlet;  black  else- 
where, fig.  22V;  female  with  scarlet  re- 
placed with  black.  Now  restricted  to  a 
small  portion  of  middle  Fla.  ;  formerly 
ranged  through  most  of  the  Southern 
States.  Cries,  loud  and  harsh,  some- 
times run  together  to  form  a  continuous 
call. 


g. 


Black  Woodpeckers 
Ceophloeus. 


Fig-  228. 


W,  A,  g,  1.     1-9. 


W,  A,  f,  1.    1-10. 

Form,  similar  to  f  and 
size  but  little  inferior;  no 
white  on  secondaries 
above. 

1.  PILE  ATED  WOOD- 
PECKER, C.  PILEATUS. 
18.50;  black;  throat,  line 
on  sides  of  neck,  patch  on 
primaries  afod  basal  half  of 
wing>  white;  maxillary 
patch  and  top  of  head  with 
crest,  scarlet,  fig.  228;  fe- 
North 


male,  front  of  head  and  maxillary  patches,  black. 
Carolina  southward.     Common. 


Fig.  229. 


DIRECTORY   TO   BIRDS    OF    EASTERN    NORTH   AMERICA.    181 

1*.      NORTHERN    PILEATED    WOODPECKER,    C.    P. 
ABIETICOLA.     Larger  than  1.     Southern  AHeghanies  north- 
ward but  restricted  to  large  areas  of  forests, 
h.    Flickers.    Colaptes. 

Medium  sized  woodpeckers  with  a  long,  curved  bill,  and 
a  patch  of  white  on  rump. 

1.  FLICKER,  C.  AURATLJS. 
12.00;  brown  above,  reddish- 
ash  beneath  with  a  whitish 
washing  on  chest  and  abdomen, 
banded  above,  maxillary  patch, 
crescent  on  breast,  and  round 
spots  beneath,  black;  top  of 
head,  bluish  ;  scarlet  patch  on 
nape,  fig.  229;  female  lacks  the 
black  maxillary  patch.  South- 
ern U.  S.  south  of  S.  C.  Com- 
mon. Cries,  a  whistling 
scream,  an  interrupted  call,  a 
series  of  "yucka"  notes;  the  first  is  an  alarm,  the  next  two 
breeding  notes. 

1*.  NORTHERN  FLICKER,  C.  A.  LTJTEUS.  Larger, 
lighter  above  but  with  less  white  beneath.  Eastern  N.  A. 
from  S.  C.  northward.  Abundant. 

X.     GOATSUCKERS.     Oaprimul^i. 

Long-winged  birds  with  small  bills  having  a  wide  gape; 
Fig.  230.  eyes,  large;  colors,  dull  and  incon- 

spicuous; feet,  small,  middle  toe 
nail,  pectinated,  fig.  230.  Distributed 
throughout  the  temperate  and  trop- 
ical zones.  Eggs,  2,  deposited  on  the 
ground,  sometimes  in  caves.  Young, 

X,  A,  a,  1.  covered  with  down  but  helpless. 

Food,  insects. 


W,  A,  h.  1. 


182 


GOATSUCKERS. 


A.    NIGHT-JARS.    Caprimulgidae. 

Characters  as  above. 

a.    Whippoor wills.    Antrostomns. 

Goatsuckers  of  nocturnal  habits  with  bristles  at  base  of 
bill;  colors,  browns  and  blacks  mingled.  Eggs,  creamy,, 
spotted  with  brown. 

1.  CHUCK- WILL'S  WIDOW,  A.  CAROLINENSIS.     13.00; 

Fig.  231.  mixed  reddish- 

brown  and  black; 
crescent  on  throat, 
yel  lo  wi  s  h-r  ed; 
patch  on  inner 
webs  of  three  out- 
er tail  feathers, 
white  above,  buff 
beneath ;  female 
lacks  the  crescent 
on  throat  and 
white  on  tail,  fig. 
A,  a,  1.  1-4.  231.  Breed  from 

Ya.  southward  through  the  South  Atlantic  and  Gulf  States; 

accidental  in  Mass. ;  winters  in  the  Bahamas,  Cuba,  eastern 

Mexico  south  to  Central  Fig.  232. 

America ;     migrates     in 

Sep.  and  March.  Com- 
mon. Note  "Chuck- 

iviirs-ividoiv'1'1    rapidly 

given,   sometimes  also  a 

series  of  chuckling  notes. 

Found  in   woodlands   by 

day,  fly  about  dwellings 

at  night. 

2.  WHIP-POOB- 
WILL,     A.     VOCIFERTJS; 

10.00;  mixed  ashy  brown  X,  A,        2.     1-1. 

and  black,  white  crescent  on  throat  and  white  patch  on  outer 


UPPER  FIG.,  FEMALE  KOBE-BREASTED  GROSBEAK  : 
LOWER  FIG.,  REDPOLL. 


PIBECTOBY   TO    BIBDS    OF    EASTEBN   NOBTH    AMEBICA. 

tail  feathers ;  female  does  not  have  the  crescent  well  defined 
and  no  white  on  tail,  fig.  232.  Breeds  throughout  eastern  N. 
A.  from  the  Carolinas  north  to  Canada,  west  to  the  Plains. 
Common  in  the  unsettled  districts.  Note,  "  Whip-poor-will" 
given  very  rapidly  and  repeatedly,  also  a  chuckling  note. 
Found  in  woodlands  by  day. 

b.    Nighthawks.    Chordeiles. 

Similar  in  form  to  a,  but  with  smaller  bills  with  no  bris- 
tles at  base ;  fly  by  day  or  in  the  twilight.  Occur  in  the  open 
country.  Eggs,  grayish  spotted  with  dusky. 

1.    NIGHTHAWK,  C.  VIBGINIANTJS.     9.40;  mixed  gray- 
ish  and   dusky    above;  Fig.  233. 
banded  with   white  and 
dusky  beneath;   large 
spot  on  primaries,  cres- 
cent on  throat  and  line 
of  spots  on  tail,   white, 
fig.  233;  female  lacks  the 
white  spots  on  tail  and 
has  the  crescent  spotted 
with  dusky.    Breeds 
throughout     eastern  N. 
A.    from    Fla.   north   to 
Labrador;   winters  in  S. 
A. ;  migrates  in  Sep.  and                X,  A,  b,  1.     1-5. 
May.     Eggs,  placed  in  gravelly  spots,  sometimes  on  the  gra- 
velled roofs  of  buildings.    Notes,  a  shrill,  rasping  cry  repeated 
when  the  bird  is  darting  zigzag  high  in  air,  and  a  booming 
sound  as  the  bird  descends  from  this  height  to  a  point  near 
the  ground  when  he  turns  to  ascend.     Common. 

1*.  FLOKIDA  NIGHTHAWK,  C..v.  CHAPMANI.  Small- 
er, darker,  but  with  ^aore  white  above  than  in  1.  Florida, 


184  SWIFTS. 

Y.     SWIFTS.     Cypseli. 

Compact  birds  with  long  primaries  but  the  other  portion 
of  the  wing  shortened ;  bill,  small  with  a  wide  gape;  color, 
dull  sometimes  relieved  by  white  markings. 
A.    SPINE-TAILED  SWIFTS.    Cliaeturidae. 
Tail  feathers  denuded  at  tip  and  produced  into  a  spine, 
Fig._234.  fig.  234;  nests  of  sticks  fastened  to- 

gether with  a  gluey  secretion  from 
the  mouth,  placed  in  a  hollow  tree, 
cave  or  other  rock  shelter  orinchim- 
Y,  A,  a,  1.  neys;  eggs,   white,  4;  young  naked 

and  helpless ;  adults  are  incapable  of  alighting  on  other  than 
a  vertical  surface,  hence  are  seldom  seen  at          Fig.  235. 
rest ;  move  with  a  swift,  continuous  flight  by 
alternately  moving  the  wing  tips  with   a 
quivering  motion  and  sailing.  Food,  insects. 
a.    Spine-tailed  Swifts.    Chaetura. 
Characters  as  above. 
1.     CHIMNEY  SWIFT,    C.  PELAGICA. 
5.30;  sooty-brown;  wings,  blackish,  fig. 235. 
Eastern  N.  A.  north  to  Labrador;  winters 
south  of  the  U.  S. ;  migrates  in  Oct.  and  late 
April.     Cries,  a   shrill   chatter.     Common. 
Z.     HUMMINGMBIRIDS. 

Troeliili.  Y,  A,  a,  1.  1-4. 

Small  birds  with  wings  similar  to  Y  but  which  differ  in 
having  an  awl-shaped  bill,  with  a  peculiar  tongue ;  portions 
of  plumage,  frequently  iridescent;  nests  in  trees,  bushes,  etc. 
made  of  fine  material  often  covered  with  lichens;  eggs,  2, 
white;  young  naked  and  helpless;  flight  swift  and  darting; 
wing-beats  exceedingly  rapid ;  food,  the  sweet  juices  of  flow- 
ers, and  small  insects ;  sexes  usually  different,  often  with  very 
differently  formed  tails.  Found  only  in  America. 


DIKECTOKY   TO    BIRDS    OF    EASTERN   NORTH   AMERICA.    185 

A.    FORKED-TAILED  HUMMINGBIRDS. 

Trochilidae. 

Medium  sized  hummingbirds  with  rather  short  bills; 
throat  with  scale-like,  iridescent  feathers. 

a.    Green-backed  Hummingbirds.    Trochilus. 

Tail,  forked  in  adult  male  and  dark,  rounded  in  female 
and  young  and  tipped  with  white  ;  back,  green. 

1.  RUBY-THROATED  HUMMINGBIRD,  T.  COLUBRIS. 
3.50;  throat  of  male,  metallic  ruby,  other  wife  white  beneath. 
Female  without  ruby  throat,  plate  16.  Breeds  throughout 
eastern  N.  A.  from  Fla.  to  Labrador;  migrates  north  in  May, 
south  in  Sep.  ;  winters  fom  Fla.  to  Mexico. 

Alcedinae. 


Birds  of  varying  sizes,  but  with  long  bills  having  wide 
gapes,  long  wings,  short  tails,  and  small  feet.  Food,  often 
fishes,  sometimes  other  small  animals.  Occur  throughout 
temperate  and  tropical  regions  of  .the  world.  Colors,  often 
bright.  Eggs,  white.  Young  naked  when  hatched  and  help- 
less. 

A.    CRESTED  KINGFISHERS.    Cerylidae. 

Head,  crested,  legs  very  short  ;  Fig.  236. 

two  outer  toes  joined  at  base. 

a.    Belted  Kingfishers. 
Ceryle. 

Bluish  above  with  the  lower 
parts  conspicuously  banded. 
Sexes,  unlike. 

1.  BELTED  KINGFISHER, 
C.  ALCYON  .  22.00  ;  male  with 
single  band  of  bluish  like  the 
back,  fig.  236;  female  with  an  ad- 
ditional band  of  brownish-red  be- 
low this.  Breeds  throughout  IS".  -A.  A.,  A,  a,  1.  1-10. 
A.  from  the  southern  border  of  the  U.  S.  north  to  the  Arctic 


186  KINGFISHERS. 

Ocean.  Winters  from  the  Middle  States,  occasionally  as  far 
north  as  Mass.,  south  to  Panama;  migrates  south  in  Oct., 
north  in  April.  Nests  in  holes  of  perpendicular  banks  ;  eggs, 
6,  white.  Note,  a  harsh  rattle,  given  as  the  bird  flies  or 
perches.  Flight  direct,  often  slow  and  rather  jerky  but  some- 
times swift  and  darting.  Common. 

BJ3. 


Hind  toe  on  a  level  with  the  anterior  toes ;  scales  of  hind 
portion  of  tarsus   not  Fig.  237. 

projected      backward* 

y: 


into  a  sharp  ridge,  fig.  \ 
237,  (upper  fig.,  tarsus 
of  Kingbird;  lower  of 
Pine  Grosbeak, 


.    T 


much  enlarged)  ;  mu-||_ ^ f^ 

sical     apparatus    (sy- 
rinx)    provided  with  less-  than  four  pairs  of  vocal  muscles, 
Fig.  238.      fig.   238  (enlarged).     Small  birds,  inhabiting 
temperate  and  tropical  regions,  which  are  not 
capable   of  producing  varied  songs.      Young 
naked  and  helpless. 

A.    TYRANT  FLYCATCHERS. 

Tyraimidae. 

Bather  small,  dull- colored  birds  with  quite 
long  wings,  flattened  bills  with  bristles  at  the 
base.  Sexes,  similar.  Food,  mainly  insects, 
eaught  in  air. 

BB,  A,  b,  1.  a.    Scissor-tails.    Milvulus. 

Tail,  very  long  and  forked ;  outer  primaries,  narrowed  at 
tip;  crown,  with  a  concealed  bright  spot.     Nests,  in  trees; 
s,  4,  spotted. 


DIRECTORY   TO    BIRDS    OF    EASTERN   NORTH   AMERICA.    187 

1.    FORK-TAILED  FLYCATCHER,  M.  TYRANNUS.  12.00; 


ashy  above,  white  beneath ;  top  and 
sides  of  head,  black;  crown  patch,  yel 
low;  only  one  outer  quill,  incised. 
South  America,  north  to  Mexico  and  ac- 
cidentally to  the  U.  S.  east  to  N.  J. 

2.  SCISSOR-TAILED  FLYCATCH- 
ER, M.  FORFICATTJS.  Differs  from  1  in 
having  portion  of  tail  rosy,  under  wings 
and  hind  parts  beneath,  and  crown 
patch,  orange;  three  outer  primaries, 
incised,  fig.  239.  South-western  States ; 
accidental  in  Fla.,  N.  J.,  N.  E.,  and  Hud- 
son Bay. 

b.    King  Birds.    Tyrannus. 

Differ  from  a  in  having  the  tail 
much  shorter  without  the  long  outer 
feathers. 

1.  KINGBIRD,  T.  TYRANNUS. 
8.40;  dark  slaty  above,  white  beneath 


Fig.  239. 


Fig.  240. 


BB,  A,  a,  2.  1-4. 


BB,A,  b,  1. 


and  on  tip  of  tail,  fig.  240.  Breeds 
throughout  eastern  N.  A. ;  winters 
from  Mexico  to  S.  A. ;  migrates 
north  in  early  May,  south  in  Sep. 
Nests  in  trees  or  bushes,  often  over 
water ;  eggs  in  early  June.  Cries, 
shrill  and  loud,  sometimes  darts 
about  in  air,  especially  in  the  ev- 
ening, uttering  a  shrill  twittering ; 
flight  direct,  swift,  with  rapid 
downward  wing-beats.  Frequents 
open  sections  and  perches  much, 
often  low,  launching  out  after  in- 
sects. Very  common. 


188  KINGBIRDS. 

2.     GRAY  KINGBIRD,  T.  DOMINICENSIS.     Larger  than 
1,  9.50;  tail,  somewhat  forked,  fig.  241;  lighter  gray  above, 
yellowish  below,  no  white  on  tail  tip.     South  Atlantic  States, 
Fig.  241.  Bahamas  and  West  Indies? 

winters  further  south ,  acci- 
dental in  Mass.  Migrates 
north  in  April.  More  noisy 
than  1  with  harsher  cries. 

3.     ARKANSAS  KING- 
BIRD, T.  VERTICALIS.    Dif- 
fers from   2  in  being  bright 
yellow   beneath  with  throat 
ashy  and  four  outer  prima- 
ries are    narrowed   at  tip ; 
lighter  ash  above.    Western 
A,  b,  2.     1-4.          U.  S. ;  accidental  in  Md.,  N. 
J.,  N.  Y.,  Mass.,  and  Me. 

c.  Crested  Flycatchers.  Myiarchus. 
Good-sized  flycatchers  with  the  feathers  of  the  head  elon- 
gatad,  throat  ashy;  yellow  beneath;  back,  green;  more  or 
less  cinnamon  on  inner  webs  of  wings  and  tail.  Nests  in  holes 
of  trees ;  eggs,  4  or  5,  buff  lined  and  streaked  with  brown  and 
lilac. 

1.  CRESTED  FLYCATCHER,  M.  CEINITUS.  9.00;  cin- 
namon on  wings  and  tail  very  conspicuous.  Breeds  through 
eastern  U.  S.  north  into  southern  Canada,  in  early  June ;  mi- 
grates in  May  and  Sep.  Cries,  a  series  of  surprised  wrhistles 
followed  by  a  series  of  chatters,  all  loud.  Frequents  open 
woodlands  and  orchards,  not  very  common  ajid  rather  local 
in  N.  E.  but  abundant  further  south  and  west.  Fig.  242. 

d.    Phoebes.    Sayornis. 

Smaller  flycatchers  with  nearly  square,  but  broad  tails 
and  with  the  feathers  of  the  crown  not  as  long  as  in  c;  slight 
wing  bands;  under  mandible,  black. 


DIBECTOKY   TO    BIRDS    OF    EASTERN   NORTH   AMERICA.    189 


7.00;  brownish-olive  above, 
Fig.  242. 


BB,  A,  c,  1.     1-4. 
Winters  from  the  Carolinas 


1.  PHOEBE,  S.  PHOEBE. 
darker  on  head,  yellowish- 
white  beneath,  more  yellow  in 
winter,  fig.  243.  Breeds- 
through  eastern  N.  A.  from  S. 
C.  northward  in  April  and  late 
May.  Moves  tail  up  and  down  -^ 
and  switches  it  immediately  : 
after  alighting.  Note,  "Phee- 
bee"  quickly  and  rather  harsh- 
ly given  with  the  accent  on  the 
first  syllable;  sometimes  the 
note  is  prolonged  and  becomes 
more  musical ;  heard  usually  in 
spring,  sometimes  in  autumn, 
southward ;  migrates  in  March  and  Oct.  Nests  placed  in  the 
shelter  of  out  buildings,  rocky  cliff  banks,  etc.  composed  of 
moss,  grass,  etc.,  mixed  with  mud;  eggs  white,  occasionally 
dotted  with  reddish. 

2.  SAY'S  PHOEBE,  S.  SAYA. 
A  little  larger  than  1,  paler  above, 
and  reddish-ash  beneath.  East- 
ern U.  S. ;  accidental  on  Cape  Cod, 
Mass. 

e.    JPewees.    Contopus. 

Differs  from  d  in  having  the 
wing-bands  more  prominent  and 
the  under  mandible  yellow.  Nests 
in  trees ;  eggs,  always  spotted. 

1.  WOODPEWEE,  C.VIRENS. 
6.50 ;  dark  olive-brown  above, 
white  beneath,  tinged  with  olive 
across  breast  and  on  sides,  fig.  244.  Breeds  through  eastern 
N.  A.  from  Fla.  to  Newfoundland  in  May  and  June.  Note, 
"Pee-ivee"  or  "Pe-e-tvee"  given  in  a  sweet,  long-drawn,  re- 
signed tone.  Frequents  open  woodlands  and  groves,  some- 


Fig.  243. 


BB,  A,  d,  1.    1-4. 


BB,  A,  e,  1. 


19O  FLYCATCHEKS. 

times  in  villages.     Nest  of  grass,  etc.  covered  with  lichens, 
Fig.  244.         saddled  on  a  limb  of  a  tree.     Winters  in 
Central   America   and   northern   S.    A. 
Migrates  in  May  and  Oct.     Common. 

f.    Long-winged  Pewees. 
Nuttallornis. 

More  robust  in  form  than   e  with 
longer  wings  and  larger  feet. 

1.  OLIVE-SIDED  FLYCATCHER, 
N.  BOREALIS.  Larger  than  e,  1,7.60; 
with  the  olive  of  the  sides  darker  and 
inclined  to  be  streaked,  in  strong  con- 
trast with  the  yellowish  of  under  parts 
a  long,  silky  tuft  of  white  feathers  on  flank,  fig.  245.  Breeds 
in  the  higher  mountainous  parts  of  the  U.  S.,  occasionally 
from  Mass,  northward  to  British  Columbia  and  the  Saskatch- 
ewan River ;  winters  in  Central  Fig.  245. 
America  and  northern  S.  A. ; 
migrates  north  in  late  May, 
south  in  Sep.  Not  very  com- 
mon. Nest  of  sticks ;  eggs,  4, 
creamy,  heavily  spotted  with 
brown.  Notes,  loud  whistles. 
Frequents  open  spots,  near 
woodlands. 

g.    Little  Flycatchers. 
Empidoiiax. 

Small  flycatchers  with 
short  bills,   greenish   or  olive  BB,  A,  f,  1.     1-4. 

above,  white  or  yellowish  beneath ;  light  eye  ring  and  wing- 
bands.     Alarm  note  a  short  "Pewit". 

1.  LEAST  FLYCATCHER,  E.  MINIMUS.  5.50;  brown- 
ish-olive above,  yellowish-white  beneath ;  two  wing-bands 
and  eye-ring  white ;  under  mandible,  dark,  fig.  246.  Breeds 
in  eastern  N.  A.  from  the  Northern  States  northward ;  winters 


DIRECTORY   TO  BIRDS    OF   EASTERX   NORTH   AMERICA.      191 

in  Central  America;  migrates  in  May  and  Sep.  Note,  "Che- 
lee"  given  with  great  energy  and  repeated  constantly  while 
the  bird  throws  up  its  head  and  jerks  all  over;  also  a  low 
twitter  given  while  the  wings  are  slightly  raised  and  fluttered. 
Frequents  orchards  and  low,  open  growths.  Common.  Nests, 
in  trees,  of  hempen  fibers,  lined  with  fine  material;  eggs,  4, 
white,  usually  unspotted. 

2.  TRAILL'S  FLYCATCHEE,  E.  TRAILLII.  A  little  lar- 
ger than   1,   usually   darker  above;   plumage  always  more 
silky;  eye  ring,  narrow  and  yellowish;  under  mandible,  yel- 
low.    Western  N.  A.  from  the  Mississippi  Yalley,  east  into 
Ohio,  111.,  and  Mich. 

2*.     ALDER  FLYCATCHER,    E.    T.  ALNORUM.     Darker 
than  2.    Breeds  in  eastern  N.  A. rarely  from  Mass,  northward; 
winters   in   Central   America ;    migrates  in         Fig.  246. 
late  May  and   Sep.     Nests   of   sticks,    often 
placed  in  alders  ;  eggs,  creamy,  spotted  with 
reddish-brown.    Notes,  " Ke--wick"  often  re- 
peated but  is  rather  more  slowly  than  1  and 
more  harshly,  with  less  display  of   energy; 
frequents  low  growths  in   swampy   lands. 

3.  GREEN-CRESTED    FLYCATCHER, 
E.  VIRESCENS.     Larger  than  2*  ;  bill,  broad- 
er;  greener  above,   lighter  beneath,   with 
less  olive  on  sides;  with  4th  primary  very 
short,  fig.  247.    Eastern  N.  A.  north  to  south- 
ern N.  Y.  and  southern  Mich. ;  rare  as  far      BB,  A,  b, 
north  as  southern  Mass. ;  winters  in  Central         1.     1-4. 

Fig.  247.  America ;  migrates   north   in 

late  May,  south  in  Sep.  Com- 
mon. Notes,  ^  Se-tvitik"  ^  em- 
phatically given,  sometimes 
followed  by  a  series  of  chuck- 
ling notes,  made  with  flutter- 

BB,  A,  g,    3.  ing    wings;   frequents   low 

growths  in  wooded  glens.     Nests,  of  sticks,  lichens  and  moss, 


192  FLYCATCHERS. 

placed  in  bushes;  eggs,  3  or  4  spotted  and  blotched  with  red- 
dish-brown.    Common. 

4.  YELLOW-BELLIED  FLYCATCHER,  E.  FLAVIVEN- 
TBIS.  A  little  smaller  than  3;  yellowish-green  above;  pale 
greenish-yellow  on  wing-bands,  eye  ring,  and  beneath. 
Breeds  in  eastern  N.  A.  from  northern  U.  S.  northward  to 
southern  Labrador,  in  June;  winters  in  Mexico  and  Central 
America  ;  migrates  north  in  late  May,  south  in  Sep.  Occurs 
in  alder  and  other  swampy  thickets,  keeps  low  among  the  fo- 
liage, not  very  active.  Note  a  low  "Pea"  rather  plaintive  and 
long-drawn,  frequently  given,  then,  less  often,  a  gravely  ren- 
dered "Ktl-ltck".  Nest  on  the  ground  in  the  shelter  of  up- 
turned roots  of  fallen  trees  or  in  a  bunch  of  moss;  eggs  4  or  5, 
white  dotted  with  pale  reddish. 

CC.     SIJVGIIVG 


The  largest  order  of  birds  in  the  world  and  generally  dis- 
tributed. Differ  from  BB  in  having  the  back  of  tarsus  pro- 
duced into  a  sharp  ridge  (note  exception  to  this  rule  in  A,  ), 
fig.  237,  upper  fig.  tarsus  of  Kingbird;  lower,  of  Pine  Gros- 
beak, both  enlarged  ;  syrinx,  provided  with  four  or  more 
pairs  of  vocal  muscles.  All  of  the  species,  with  few  excep- 
tions, are  capable  of  producing  varied  and  more  or  less  mus- 
ical sounds,  fig.  248.  Young  as  in  BB. 

A.    LARKS.    Alauclidae. 

Medium  sized  birds  with  long  wings,  long  inner  second- 
aries, short,  conical  bills,  elongated  hind  claw,  fig,  249  B,  and 
tarsus  much  as  in  CC,  fig.  249  A.     Colors  dull. 
a.    Skylarks.    Alaucla. 

Rather  robust  birds  with  the  outer  primary  much  short- 
ened and  hind  claw  greatly  elongated,  fig.  250. 

1.  SKYLARK,  A.  ARVENSIS.  7.50;  brown  above 
streaked  with  reddish-yellow  ;  dull  white  beneath,  reddish  on 
breast  and  sides  where  streaked  with  dark-brown.  Europe 


DIRECTOIiY  TO   BIRDS   OF   EASTERN  NORTH   AMERICA.     193 

and  portions  of  Asia;  accidental  in  Greenland  and  Bermuda. 
Celebrated  in  song  and  story. 

b.    Horned  Larks.    Otocoris. 

Differ  from  a  in  having  hind  toe  nail  shorter,  fig.  248  B, 
Fig.  248.  black  markings  about 

head  and  on  breast  and 
elongated  f  e  a  t  h  e  rs  on 
sides  of  crown,  fig.  248. 
Throat,  white  or  yellow- 
ish. Nests  on  ground, 
eggs>4or5,  grayish, 
spotted  with  yellowish- 
brown.  .  Song,  given 
while  soaring  in  air,  but 
spend  much  time  on  the 
ground  where  they  run 
about  very  actively, 
squat  for  concealment, 
rise  when  alarmed  and 
OO,  A,  b,  1.  move  with  a  flitting 

flight,  seldom   direct,  but  erratic ;  gregarious ;  give  a  shrill, 

double  note  when  on  the  wing. 

1.  NORTHERN  HORNED  LARK,  O.  ALPESTRIS.     7.50; 
pinkish-brown  above  and  on  sides,  otherwise  white  below ; 
black  markings  as  in  fig.  248;  throat  and  line  over  eye,  yel- 
low.    Breeds  in  northeastern  N.  A.,  Greenland,  and  northern 
parts  of  the  Old  World ;  south  in  Oct.   to   winter,    especially 
along  the  coast,  to  the  Middle  States  arid  less  commonly  to 
the  Carolinas ;  north  in  April.     Abundant. 

2.  PRAIRIE  HORNED  LARK,  A.  PRATICOLA.     A  little 
smaller  than  1  and  much  paler,  especially  above.     Breeds  in 
Mass.,  N.  H.,  Yt.,  N.  Y.  and  west  to  the  Mississippi  Yalley  in 
April ;  in  winter  as  in  1  but  less  common  on  the  coast  in  the 
north;  south  in  Oct.,  north  in  April. 


194 


MAGPIES. 


B.    MAGPIES  AND  JAYS.    Garrulidae. 

Bather  large  birds,  usually  with  bright  or  striking  colors ; 


Fig.  249. 


bills,  conical;  nostrils  concealed  by 
bristly  feathers ;  wings,  short,  rounded ; 
tails,  long,  often  rounded.  Nests  of 
sticks,  placed  in  trees  or  bushes ;  eggs, 
3  to  10,  whitish,  buff  or  greenish,  thick- 
ly spotted  with  darker.  Cries,  harsh, 
seldom  very  musical.  Intelligent  and 
active;  somewhat  gregarious;  not  mi- 
gratory. Flight,  heavy  and  direct. 

a.    Magpies.    Pica. 
Large  birds  with  short  wings   and 
long,  graduated  tails;  black  and  white. 

00,  A.  1.     AMERICAN  MAGPIE,  P.  HUD- 
SONICA.    20.00;  black,  glossed  with  green,  purple,  blue,  and 
violet;   white   on   scapularies,  Fig.  250. 

inner  webs  of  secondaries,  and 
abdomen,   fig.   251.     Northern 
and  western  N.  A. ;  casual  east 
to  Mich,  and  northern  III. 
b.    Banded  Jays. 

Cyannocitta.  CC,  A,  a,  1. 

Smaller;  tail,  shorter  and  rounded;  wings  and  tail  more 
or  less  banded  with  black ;  head,  crested. 

1.  BLUE  JAY,  C.  CRISTATA.     12.00;  blue  above,  gray- 
ish-white beneath;  wing-band,  tips  of  secondaries  and  prima- 
ries, white;  black  about  head  as  in  fig.  252.     Eastern  N.  A. 
from  Fla.  northward.     Abundant   in   woodlands   and   about 
dwellings.     With  the  harsh  and  well-known  varied  cries,  has 
a  low  song. 

1*.  FLOBIDA  BLUE  JAF,  C.  c.  FLOBINCOLA.  Small- 
er than  1  and  duller,  more  purplish-blue  above.  Fla.  and 
Gulf  coast  to  southwestern  Texas. 


DIRECTORY  TO   BIRDS    OF   EASTERN  NORTH   AMERICA.     195 

c.    Bush  Jays.    Aphelocoma. 

Crestless  jays  with  long,  nearly  graduated  tails  and  with 
Fig.  251.  no  black  or  white  mark- 

ings. 

1.      FLORIDA  JAY, 

A.  F  L  O  R  I  D  A  N  A.    12.00 ; 

dull  blue  above:  back, 
ashy ;  ashy  beneath, 
streaked  across  breast 
with  bluish,  fig.  253. 
Scrub  lands  of  Florida. 
Abundant  and  gregar- 
ious; not  shy;  cries  and 
general  habits,  very  jay- 
OC,  B,  a,  1.  1-10.  like. 

d.    Gray  Jays.    Perisoreus. 

Crestless  jays  with  long,   loose,  titmouse-like  plumage 
with  no  striking  markings. 

1.     CANADA  JAY,  P.  CANADENSIS.     12.00;  gray,  dark- 
Fig.  252.  Fig.  253. 


CC,  B,  b,  1.    1-6-  CC,  B,  c,  1.     1-6. 

er  above  especially  on  head  behind  ;  yeliowfsh  on  top  of  head 
and  on  neck  behind,  fig.  254.  From  northern  N.  E.  to  north- 
ern Mich,  northward  to  Arctic  America.  Common  in  heavily 
wooded  sections;  very  unsuspicious;  cries,  jay-like. 


196  CHICKADEES. 

1*.     LABRADOR  JAY,  P.  c.   NIGRACAPILLUS.      Differs 
from  1  but  the  dusky  of  top  and  sides  of  head  is  more  exten- 
Fig.  254.  ded     forward.      Coast   of  Labrador, 

and  Newfoundland. 

B*  TITMICE.  Paridae. 
Small  birds  but  scarcely  differing 
in  general  form  from  A.  Nest  in 
holes  of  trees ;  eggs,  6  or  7,  white 
spotted  with  reddish.  Food,  small 
insects  and  their  eggs. 

a.    Chickadees.    Peiithestes. 

Head,  not  crested ;  plumage,  soft 
and  fluffy;    wings,    short,   rounded; 
CC,  B,  d,  1.     1-8.      tail,  long. 

1.  CHICKADEE,  P.  ATRICAPILLUS.     5.60;  gray  above; 
white  beneath  ;  top  of  head  and  throat,  black  ;  sides,  reddish, 
especially  in  winter,  fig.  255.     Eastern  N.   A.   north   of  the 
Potomac  and  Ohio  Valleys.     Common    nearly    everywhere. 
Notes,    " Chick-a-dee-de-dee"    given  Fig.  255. 

with  energy,  a  short,  squeaking  chirp 
when  disturbed,  and  other  low  notes; 
along-drawn  "Cee-dee"  given  at  all 
seasons,  often  mistaken  for  the  note 
of  the  Phoebe,  and  a  low,  silvery  song, 
seldom  heard.  Flight,  wavering  and 
unsteady. 

2.  CAROLINA     CHICKADEE, 
P.    CAROLINENSIS.      Smaller  than    1 
with  the  line  of  demarkation  between 
the  black  and  white  of  breast   very 

sharply  defined,  fig.  256.     Southeast-      CC,  B,*  a,  1.     1-3. 
ern  States  from  N.  J.  southward.     Sings  more  often  than  1. 
2*.     FLORIDA  CHICKADEE,  P.  c.  IMPIGER.      Smaller 
and  darker  than  2.     Lake  Ashby,  Fla. 


PLATE  18. 


UPPER  FIGUBE,  BLUE  GROSBEAK;  LOWER,  MARYLAND 
YELLOW-THROAT. 


DIRECTORY  TO   BIRDS   OF   EASTERN   NORTH  AMERICA.     197 

3.  HUDSONIAN  CHICKADEE,  P.  HUDSONICUS.  Dif- 
fers from  1  in  being  more  reddish  above  and  on  sides ;  black 
only  on  throat,  fig.  257.  Northern  Fig.  256. 

N.  A.  from  northern  N.  S.,  rarely 
as  far  south  as  Mass,  (in  winter) 
northward.  Notes,  similar  to 
1  but  harsher.  3*.  See  appendix. 

b.    Titmice.    Baeolophus. 

Larger  than  a ;  plumage,  not 
as  fluffy;  head,  crested. 

1.     TUFTED  TITMOUSE,    B. 
BICOLOR.     6.25;  gray  above;   dull  CC,  B*a,  2. 

white  beneath  ;  forehead  and  eyelids,  black ;  sides,  reddish, 
Fig.  257  fig.  258.    Eastern  U.  S.  from 

southern  N.  J.  southward  ;  cas- 
ual as  far  north  as  southern  N. 
E.  Common.  Notes,  similar 
to  those  of  a,  1;  but  harsher 
and  louder;  song,  similar. 

C.    CROWS,    Corvidae. 

Large  birds  with  very  long 
wings  folding  nearly  to  the  tip 
of  tail ;  all  of  our  species  are 
black,  more  or  less  iridescent. 

CC,  B*  a,  3.  Cries,  harsh.     Nests,  placed  in 

trees  or  on  cliffs ;  eggs,  3  to  6,  grayish  spotted  with  dusky. 
Flight,  strong  and  direct. 

a.    Crows.    Corvus. 
Characters  as  above. 

1.  AMERICAN  CROW,  C.  AMERICANTJS.  20.00;  feet, 
short  and  stout,  fig.  259.  N.  A.  excepting  Fla.  Notes,"  Caw" 
repeated  several  times,  more  rapidly  when  alarmed ;  a  series 
of  croaks,  given  quickly;  and  various  guttural  notes;  some 
individuals,  at  least,  have  a  quite  musical,  but  low  song. 


198  CROWS. 

1*.  FLORIDA  CROW,  C.  A.  PASCUUS.  Smaller  than  1 
with  the  bill  and  feet  proportionately  larger.  Florida. 

Fig.  258.  2.    FISH  CROW,  C.  OSSIFRAGUS. 

16.00;  feet  long  and  slender.  Atlan- 
tic and  Gulf  Coasts  from  Conn,  to 
La. ;  casual  as  far  north  as  Mass. 
Notes,  "Ha  ha"  and  some  guttural 
cries.  Flight,  rather  more  rapid  than 
1  with  quicker  wing-beats.  Highly 
gregarious. 

3.     NORTHERN   RAVEN,  C. 
PBINCIPALIS.    24.00 ;  feathers  of  neck 
lance-shaped,  fig.  260.     Northern  N. 
A.  south  to  the  Carolinasinthemore 
CC,  I5,*b,  1.     1-3.      unsettled  and  mountainous  districts. 
Note,  a  harsh  croak;  flight,  heavy,  sails  much.    Nests,  often 
on  cliffs. 

D.    STARLINGS.    Sturnidae. 

Medium   sized  birds  Fig.  259. 

with   long  wings,    short 
tails,  and  large  feet. 
a.    Sturnus. 
Starling's. 

Characters  as  above. 

1.  STARLING,  S. 
VULGABIS.  8.00;  glossy 
black  streaked  and  spot- 
ted with  white  and  buff , 
fig.  261.  Europe;  acci- 
dental in  Greenland ;  in- 
troduced about  N.  Y.  city.  CC,  C,  a,  1.  1-10. 
E.  ORIOLES.  Icteridae. 

Birds  of  varying  sizes  but  with  the  bill  more  or  less 
pointed  and  with  the  lower  mandible  swollen  at  base.  Eggs, 
usually  bluish,  lined  with  black. 


DIRECTORY  TO   BIRDS    OF   EASTERN   NORTH   AMERICA.     199 

a.    Meadow  Larks.    Sturnella. 

Bill,  long  and  flattened  at  tip,  wings  long;  tail,  short; 
feet,  large. 

1.  MEADOW 
LARK,  S.  MAGNA. 
10.40;  reddish- 
brown  above 
streakedwith 
dark-brown ;  yel- 
low beneath,  black  CC,  C,  a,  3. 
crescent  on  breast ;  outer  tail  feathers,  white,  fig.  262.  East- 
ern U.  S.  from  Canada  to  Fla.  Winters  from  Mass,  southward. 
Comes  north  in  March,  south  in  Oct.  Frequents  open  fields. 
Nests  on  ground ;  eggs,  white,  spotted  with  brown.  Call  song, 
"  You  can't  see  me"  rather  high  and  prolonged;  a  sharp  chat- 
ter when  alarmed ;  a  song,  rarely  heard,  often,  possibly  al- 
ways, given  on  the  wing,  consisting  of  a  continuous  sweet 
warble.  Flight  direct,  with  rapid  downward  wing-beats, 
sometimes  sailing. 

Fig.  261.  Fig.  262. 


CC,  D,  a,  1.    1-4.  CC,  E,  a,  1.     1-5. 

1*.  FLORIDA  MEADOW  LARK,  S.  M.  ARGUTTJLA. 
Smaller  than  1  and  much  darker  above  and  more  yellow  be- 
low. Fla.  and  Gulf  Coast  to  La.  Call  song,  shorter  and  not 
as  loud  as  1,  "See  me  hear"  rather  plaintively  given.  Occurs 
in  open  savannas  and  pine  woods. 


200 


STARLINGS. 


2.  WESTERN  MEADOW  LARK,  S.  NEGLECTA.  Differs 
from  1  in  being  much  paler,  the  light  areas  on  tail  and  wings 
touching  shafts  of  the  feathers.  Western  U.  S.  east  to  111. 
Sings  often  both  while  sitting  and  when  flying. 

b.    Red-winged  Starling's.    Agelaius. 

Bill,  slightly  flattened,  wings  and  tail  rather  long;  black 
with  red  patch  on  wing.  Nests  in  marshes  and  swamps. 

1.  RED- WINGED  BLACKBIRD,  A.  PHOENICEUS.     9.00; 
scarlet  of  wing  bordered  with  pale  buff,  plate  17,  A.     Female, 
smaller,  streaked  with  brown  and  buff.     Young  male,  like  fe- 
male, gradually  assuming  the  male  dress.     N.  A.  from  Great 
Slave  Lake  to  Fla. ;  winters  from  the   Carolinas   southward ; 
goes  south  in  Oct.,  comes  north  in  March.     Frequents  open, 
marshy  sections;  gregarious.     Nests,  placed  in  bushes  or  in 
tussocks ;  eggs,  bluish,   lined  with  black.     Notes,   a  sharp 
chuck,  a  squealing  cry,  a  chatter,  given  by  both  sexes,  and 
the  "  Oker-re.ee'1'1  song  of  the  male.     Males  and  females  do  not 
associate,  excepting  to  breed. 

1*.  FLORIDA  REDWING,  A.  P.  FLORIDAJOJS.  Differs 
from  1  in  being  smaller  with  a  longer,  more  pointed  bill ; 
black  darker  and  plumage  softer ;  buff  margin  of  red  on  wing 
deeper;  female,  rather  more  pinkish  on  throat,  plate  17,  B. 
Florida  and  Gulf  Coast  to  Texas.  Song,  shorter  than  1,  like 
"Cnej*. 

2.  BAHAMA  REDWING,  A.  BBYANTI.     Differs  from  1* 
in  being  even  darker  with  longer  bill,  plate  17,  C.     Female, 
much  paler.     Many  of  the  Bahama  Islands;  casual  in  south- 
ern Fla.  on  the  keys  (Ridgway).     Song  more  husky  than  1*. 

c.    Troupials.    Icterus. 

Rather  large  orioles  with  very  pointed  bills  and  striking 
colors. 

1.  TROUPIAL,  I.  ICTERUS.  9.50 ;  black ;  patch  on  wing, 
broad  collar  on  hind  neck,  upper  back,  and  beneath  behind 
chest,  orange  ;  patch  and  stripings  on  wing,  white.  Northern 


DIRECTORY   TO    BIBDS    OF    EASTERN   NORTH   AMERICA.    2O1 

S.  A. ;  introduced  into  Jamaica  and  other  of  the  West  Inches. 
Accidental  at  Charleston,  S.  C.  (Audubon).  Song,  a  series  of 
loud,  clear  whistles. 

d.    Tricolorecl  Orioles.    Yphantes. 

Medium  sized  orioles  usually  conspicuously  marked  with 
orange,  black,  and  white.  Nests  in  trees,  woven  and  pendu- 
lous. 

1.  BALTIMORE  ORIOLE,  Y.  GALBTJLA.  7.60;  orange; 
head,  upper  breast,  back,  wings  and  band  on  tail,  black ;  bar 
and  streakings  on  wings,  white,  fig.  263.  Female  duller 
without  black  on  tail.  Breeds  in  Fig.  263. 

eastern  N.  A.  from  Va.  north  to 
Canada ;  comes  north  in  May,  goes 
south  in  Sep.  Song,  loud,  clear, 
distinct  whistles,  but  very  varia- 
ble, given  in  full  only  in  May  and 
June  ;  heard  somewhat  shortened 
in  late  Aug.  and  early  Sep.  Has 
a  scolding  chatter  when  annoyed  ; 
the  young  utter  a  monotonous 
piping  after  leaving  the  nest  in 
July.  Common  about  farm  hous- 
es and  in  country  villages. 

e.    Black-tailed  Orioles. 
Pendulinus. 

Medium  sized  or  small  orioles  with  the  tail  without  bright 
markings  and  either  wholly  black  or  with  some  white.  Nests 
as  in  . 

1.  ORCHARD  ORIOLE,  P.  SPURIUS.  6.70;  tail,  black; 
chestnut  bar  on  wing,  otherwise  the  black  and  white  mark- 
ings are  about  as  in  d,  1,  but  the  orange  is  replaced  by  chest- 
nut, fig.  264.  Female  greenish  with  the  wliite  markings  of 
the  male.  Young  male  like  female,  gradually  assuming  the 
male  dress.  Eastern  U.  S..  from  Fla.  north  to  Mass.,  where 
it  is  rare,  common  south  of  this.  Nests  made  of  grass  woven 


CC,  E,  d,  1.     1-3. 


2O2  ORIOLES. 

when  it  is  green,  it  then  bleaches.     Song,  softer  and  rather 

more  musical  than  d,  1.     Migrates  north  in  May,  south  in 

Sep. 

f.    Yellow-headed  Blackbirds.     Xanthocephalus. 

Fig.  264.  Rather    large    birds   with 

thick,  but  pointed  bills,  quite 
long  tails  and  wings. 

1 .      Y  E  L  L  O  W-HE ADED 
BLACKBIRD,   X.    XANTHO- 
CEPHALUS.    10.50;  dull  black; 
head,  mostly  yellow;  small 
white  patch  on  wing,  fig.  265. 
Female    duller,   no  white  on 
wing.     Young  male,  like  fe- 
CC,  "E,  e,  1.     1-4.  male  but  has  white  on  wing. 

Western  U.  S.  east  to  111. ;  casual  in  Mass.,  Pa..  Md.,  W.  Ya., 
District  of  Columbia,  S.  C.  and  Fig.  265. 

Fla.     Song,  a  wheezy  squeak. 
Largely  resident. 
g.    Rusty  Blackbirds. 

Scolecophagu  s. 
Rather  slender,  medium 
sized  birds,  wholly  black  with 
greenish  iridescence,  becoming 
rusty  or  grayish  in  autumn; 
wings,  long  ;tail,  long  and  some- 
what rounded;  bill,  somewhat 
curved;  irides, yellowish-white. 

1.     RUSTY   BLACKBIRD,  CC,  ]g,  f,  1.     1-5. 

S.  CAROLINUS.  9.50;  bill,  slender,  iridescence  of  head  not 
different  from  body,  fig.  266 ;  tips  of  feathers  rusty  in  autumn. 
Female,  grayish.  Eastern  N.  A.  from  northern  N.  E.  north- 
ward;  winters  on  the  Gulf  Coast;  goes  south  in  Sep.,  north 
in  March.  Common.  Nests  in  bushes. 


DIRECTORY  TO  BIBDS   OF   EASTERN   NORTH   AMERICA.     2O3 

2.     BREWER'S  BLACKBIRD,  S.  CYANOCEPHALUS.     Dif- 
fers from  1  in  having   a  thicker  Fig.  266. 
bill,  fig.  267;  iridescence  of  head 
violet ;  tippings  of  feathers  in  au- 
tumn, grayish;  female  not  as 
gray.     Western  U.  S.  and  British 
.Provinces,  during  migrations 
east  to  111.,  La.,  and  casually  to 
S.  C. 

h.    Grackles.     Quiscalus. 
Larger  with  long  wings  and 
very  long,  somewhat  graduated 
tails,    which  can  be  made  boat- 
shaped  ;  large,  curved  bills ;  black,        CC,  E,  g,  1.     1-6. 
highly  iridescent.     Females  a  little  smaller  and  duller ;  gre- 
garious at  all  times.     Nest  in  communities,  on  trees  or  bush- 
es.    Notes,  harsh  and  grating,  not  unlike  the  creaking  of  a 
rusty  hinge ;  alarm,  a  rather  soft  chirp. 

Fig.  267.  1.     BRONZED 

GRACKLE,  Q.  AENE- 
us.  12.50;  body  above 
and  behind  chest  be- 
low, uniform  bronzy 
or  brassy  without  ad- 
mixture of  other  tints ; 
head,  neck  and  chest 
varying  from  greenish- 
blue  to  purple,  fig.  268. 
Temperate  N.  A.,  east 
of  the  Rockies,  except- 
CC,  E,  g,  2.  ing  the  region  occu- 

pied by  2  and  3 ;  winters  in  the  Southern  States.  The  origin- 
al form  which,  coming  from  the  southwest,  spread  slowly 
over  the  section  which  it  now  occupies  after  the  close  of  the 
glacial  period,  hence  the  most  staple  species.  Migratory; 


2O4  GRACKLES. 

south  in  Nov.,  north  in  Feb.     Note,  "Chat"  varied  by  "  We- 
chaf'1 ,  harshly  given. 

Fig.  268. 


\\ 
CC,  E,  h,  1.    1-5. 

2.  FLORIDA  GRACKLE,  Q.  AGLAEUS.      Smaller  than 
1,  excepting  bill  and  feet,  which  are  as  large  or  larger;  the 
parts  that  are  bronzy  in  1  are  greenish  and  are  mixed  and 
somewhat  barred  with  violet  and  blue  ;  head  and  wings  blu- 
ish and  violet.     Fla.  and  along  the  Gulf  Coast  to  La.     This 
was  the  first  form  to  become  separated  from  1  (as  it  spread 
north-east)  and,  adapting  itself  to  the  environment,  early  be- 
came much  as  it  now  is,  hence  on  account  of  its  specific  age 
is  nearly  as  staple  as  the  ancestral  stock.     Resident. 

3.  PURPLE  GRACKLE,  Q.  QUISCALA.     Size  and  form 
of  1  with  much  of  the  colors  of  2  but  averaging  less  bright 
and  exceedingly  variable.     Atlantic  Coast  region  east  of  the 
Alleghanies  from  the  northern  shores  of  Long  Island  Sound 
and  lower  Hudson  Valley  to  Ga. ;  migratory  as  in  1.    This  is 
a  later  form  which  has  become  separated  from  the  ancestral 
stock,  1,  and  changed  to  what  it  now  is  by  its  environment. 
It  probably  found  its  way  to  the  coast  south  of  the  Alleghany 


DIRECTORY   TO   BIRDS    OF    EASTERN   NORTH   AMERICA.    2O5 

Mountain  range  as  an  offshoot  from  1,  and  followed  the  re- 
treating ice  of  the  glacial  period  up  the  coast  where  it  would 
have  been  barred  from  mingling  with  the  parent  stock  to  the 
westward  by  the  high  and  cold  mountain  range.  Shows  its 
instability  not  only  in  its  variability  but  by  an  inclination  to 
return  to  its  ancestral  color  characters  when  placed  under 
environment  similar  to  that  in  which  1  lives,  as  in  some  por- 
tions of  southern  N.  E.  [Note  :-  For  theory  concerning  mi- 
gration of  birds  see  a  report  of  a  lecture  given  by  C.  J.  May- 
nard  before  the  JJpston  Scientific  Society  in  the  "Boston  Com- 
monwealth" Nov.  BO,  1895,  and  a  longer  account  in  "Contri- 
butions to  Science"  Vol.  Ill,  No.  1,  March,  1896;  also  a  con- 
tinuation of  the  same  in  No.  2  wherein  the  relationship  of 
these  Grackles  is  discussed  at  greater  length.  ] 

i.    Boat-tails.    Megaquiscalus. 

Differ  from  h  in  being  larger,  with  longer,  more  strongly 
graduated  tails ;  males  nearly  uniform  iridescent  black  and 
the  females  brownish.  Nests  in  marshy  places. 

1.  BOAT-TAILED  GRACKLE,  M.  MAJOR.  16.00;  iri- 
descence of  head,  neck  and  upper  breast  bluish-violet ;  blu- 
ish-green elsewhere,  fig.  269.  Female  reddish-brown,  dark- 
est above.  Young,  both  sexes  similar  to  female.  South  At- 
lantic and  Gulf  Coasts  of  U.  S.  from  Ya.  to  Texas.  Song,  a 
series  of  sharp,  loud  notes  given  rapidly,  as  a  kind  of  chat- 
ter, this  is  sometimes  preceded  by  a  single,  more  mellow, 
note;  also  makes  a  shuffling  sound  which  may  be  produced 
by  the  wings,  and  a  sharp  croak  when  annoyed.  The  sexes 
do  not,  as  a  rule,  associate  unless  breeding.  Occur  in  open, 
marshy  places.  Yery  abundant. 

j.    Parasitical  Blackbirds.    Molothrus. 

Small  blackbirds  nearly  uniform  in  color ;  bill,  short,  con- 
ical ;  wings,  rather  long,  tail  not  long  and  slightly  rounded. 
Our  species  is  polygamous,  and  deposits  its  eggs  in  the  nests 
of  other  birds. 


2O6 


BLACKBIRDS. 


1.     COWBIKD,  M.  ATER.      7.80;  greenish-black;  head, 
Fig.  269.  neck,  and  upper  breast,  choco- 

late-brown, fig.  270.  Female, 
grayish-brown  above,  lighter 
below;  nestlings,  both  sexes, 
similar  to  female,  moulting  at 
once  into  adult  dress.  Breeds 
from  Ga.  northward  through- 
out temperate  N.  A. ;  winters 
in  Mexico  a^jd  southward; 
goes  south  in  Oct.;  comes 
north  in  April.  Flight,  very 
swift  and  winding.  Gregar- 
ious in  autumn,  often  alighting 
about  cattle.  Song,  "Sweet 
su-sie'*'1  very  sweetly  given  in  a 
liquid  tone ;  this  is  rarely  heard 
the  usual  song  being  a  kind  of 
CC,  E,  i,  1.  1-6.  wheezy,  double  croak,  given 

while  the  bird  ruffles  his  feathers  and  Fig.  270. 

bows  his  head,  also  a  prolonged  whist- 
ling cry  more  often  emitted  when  flying, 
and  a  blackbird-like  chirp.  An  inter- 
esting species. 

k.  Rice  Buntings.  Dolichonyx. 
Finch-like  birds  with  short,  conical 
bills,  long  wings  and  not  long  tails  hav- 
ing stiffened,  pointed  feathers.  Nest  on 
ground.  Food,  seeds  and  insects. 

1.      BOBOLINK,    D.    ORYZIVORTJS. 
7.50 ;  spring  male,  black ;  yellowish- 
white  patch  on  back  of  head  and  whit-    CC,  E,  j,  1.     1-5. 
ish  markings  above,  fig.  271.    Female,  yellowish-buff  streaked 
above  and  on  sides  with  dusky,  fig.  271.     Male  in  autumn 
and  winter  similar  to  female.     Breeds  from  the  Middle  States 
northward  into  the  British  Provinces,  west  to  Utah.     Winters 


DIRECTORY   TO   BIRDS    OF    EASTERN   NORTH   AMERICA.     2O7 

in  northern  S.  A. ;  goes  south  in  early  Oct. ;  comes  north  in 
early  May.  Frequents  meadows  and  moist,  grassy  fields; 
gregarious  when  migrating.  A  Fig.  271. 

well  known  rollicking  song,  a 
blackbird-like  chirp,  and  a  metal- 
lic clink  when  migrating. 

F.    SPARROWS  A1ST> 
FINCHES.     Fringlllidae. 

Kather  robust  birds  of  varying 
sizes,  but  never  very  large,  having 
conical  bills,  which  are  deeper  at 
the  base  than  one  half  the  length 
and  have  the  cutting  edge  of  upper 
mandible  angled,  consult  diagram 
on  page  8  for  these  and  other  char- 
acters. A  wide  spread  family  with 
numerous  species.  CC,  E,  k,  1. 

a.    Silk  Bunting's.    Spiza. 

Medium  sized  sparrows  with  rather  thick  bills,  long 
pointed  wings  and  nearly  square  tails.  Streaked  above  not 
below. 

Fig.  272.  1.      BLACK-THROATED    BUNTING,    S. 

AMERICANA.  6.75  ;  ashy-yellow  above ;  streaks, 
dusky ;  white  beneath ;  yellow  on  breast  and 
under  wings ;  black  spot  on  throat,  fig.  272. 
Female  duller.  Breeds  in  U.  S.  between  the 
Alleghanies  and  the  Rockies,  now  rare  in  the 
eastern  section.  Winters  in  Mexico  and  Cen- 
tral America.  Nests  in  trees  and  bushes ;  eggsr 
3  to  5,  bluish-green,  unspotted.  Song,'  a  lisp- 
ing twitter. 

b.    Arboreal  Sparrows.    Spizella. 

Small  sparrows  streaked  above,  plain  be- 
CC,  1.  1-4. 


1-4. 


208 


SPARROWS   AND    FINCHES. 


low;  our  common 
Fig.  273. 


settlements. 
Fig.  274. 


eastern  species  have  red  crowns ;  bill, 
rather  small ;  tail,  slightly  forked. 
Nests  in  trees  and  bushes.  Nestlings, 
streaked  below.  Young,  streaked  on 
crown.  Food,  chiefly  seeds. 

1.  CHIPPING  SPARKOW,  S. 
SOCIALIS.  5.50;  head  in  strong  con- 
trast with  gray  of  neck  above ;  dis- 
tinct dark  line  through  eye  ;  gray  be- 
low; wing  bands,  not  conspicuous, 
fig.  273.  Breeds  throughout  eastern 
N.  A.  from  Canada  south  to  the  Gulf 
Coast,  west  to  the  Plains  ;  winters  in 
southern  U.  S. ;  goes  south  in  Oct., 
comes  north  in  April.  Frequents  open 

CC,    F,  b,  1.     1-3.         sections,  often  near 

Song,  a  thin,  quickly  given,  wiry 

trill ;  a  low,  rather  sharp  chirp  of 

annoyance.     Nest,  of  fine  rootlets, 

lined  with  horse  hair,  eggs,  blu- 
ish, spotted  and  lined  with  black. 

Abundant. 

2.    TREE  SPARROW,  S.  MON- 

TICOLA.     6.50;  head  not  in  very 

strong  contrast  with  neck ;  wing 

bands  conspicuous ;  sides  of  head, 

plain   grayish;   under  mandible, 

yellow;  dark  spot  on  middle  of 

breast ;   chestnut   patch  on  its 

sides,  fig.  274.     Breeds  in  eastern 

N.  A.  from  Labrador  northward ; 

winters  from  N.  E.  to  S.  C.  South        CC,  F,  b,  2.     1-4. 

in  late  Oct. ;  north  in  late  April.     Common.     Frequents  the 

margins    of   woodlands  and  thickets,  venturing  into  weed 

patches  in  winter.     Song,  a  clear  chant,  beginning  with  two 


DIRECTORY   TO    BIRDS    OF    EASTERN   NORTH   AMERICA.    2O9 

or  three  loud  notes,  falls  to  other  lower  notes  and  ends  with 
a  low,  sweet  warble;  in  autumn  Fig.  275. 

and  winter  gives  a  low  murmur- 
ing, warbling  song.  Nests  in 
trees;  eggs,  pale-blue,  spotted 
with  reddish. 

3.  FIELD  SPARROW,  S.  PU- 
SILLA.     5.90;  top  of  head  uniform 
with  back  ;  sides  of  head  beneath, 
yellowish-gray;    bill,  red;  tail, 
long,  fig.  275.     Breeds  in  eastern 
N.  A.  from  Ga.  north  to  the  south- 
ern British  Provinces  ;  winters  in 
southern   U.   S. ;    south   in   Oct. ; 
north  in   April.     Common   on 
brushy  or  cedar-covered  hillsides. 

Song,  begins   with   two   or  three  CC,  F,  b,  3.     1-3. 

single  notes  then  continues  with  a  constantly  diminishing 
trill  which  ascends,  is  a  monotone,  or  descends  ;  very  sweetly 
given  and  appeals  to  all  who  love  bird  music.  Chirp  of  alarm, 
rather  sharp.  Nests,  often  in  low  bushes,  sometimes  on  the 
ground,  of  weeds,  grass,  etc. ;  eggs,  pale  blue  spotted  with 
reddish, 

3*,  WESTERN  FIELD  SPARROW,  S.  p.  ARENACEA. 
Differs  from  3  in  having  wings  and  tail  longer ;  grayer  above ; 
crown  with  median  line;  paler  below.  Western  portion  of 
Great  Plains ;  south  in  winter  to  Texas,  casually  to  eastern  La. 

4.  CLAY-COLORED   SPARROW,    S.    PALLADA.     5.65; 
crown,  streaked ;  ear  coverts  brown  in  contrast  with  buff  of 
sides  of  head;  buffy  brown  above  streaked  with  dark-brown, 
dull  white  deneath  ;  bill,  pale  brown.     Breeds  on  the  Great 
Plains  from  north-western  111.  west  to  the  Rockies ;  in  winter 
south    into  Mexico,  rare  during  migration  in  western  Ind. 
and  Mich. 


21O  SPARROWS  AND   FINCHES. 

5.  BKEWER'S  SPARROW,  S.  BREWERI.  Differs  from 
4  in  having  sides  of  head  uniform  buff  and  in  being  more  nar- 
rowly streaked  above.  Western  U.  S.  in  winter  south  to  Mex- 
ico; accidental  in  Mass. 

c.  Zone-throated  Sparrows.  Zoiiotrachia. 
Large  sparrows  with  rather  long,  pointed  wings  and 
long,  somewhat  rounded  tail ;  streaks  above  but  none  below  ; 
throat,  nearly  white  or  lighter  than  other  lower  parts  (See  4 
for  exception) ;  crown,  marked  with  black;  distinct  white 
wing  bands.  Nests  on  ground;  eggs,  pale  bluish  much  spot- 
ted with  brown. 

1.      WHITE-THROATED    SPARROW,    Z.    ALBICOLLIS. 
6.35  ;   reddish   above ;  white  of  throat  in  strong  contrast  with 
gray  of  breast;  yellow  line  from  over  eye  to  bill,  white  be- 
Fig.  276.  hind  ;  crown,  black  ;  median  line,  white, 

fig.  276.  Breeds  in  eastern  N.  A.  from 
the  mountains  of  Mass,  north  to  Hud- 
son Bay ;  winters  from  Mass,  (not  com- 
monly) south  to  Ela. ;  comes  north  in 
April ;  goes  south  in  Oct.  Frequents  the 
margins  of  woodlands  and  thickets  near 
the  ground.  Song,  a  series  of  prolonged, 
sweet  whistles,  frequently  given  at 
night  on  the  breeding  ground;  alarm, 
a  sharp  chirp.  Common  ;  somewhat 
gregarious. 

2.  WHITE-CROWNED  SPARROW, 
Z.  LEUCOPHRYS.  7.00;  grayish  above; 
no  yellow  about  head ;  -white  of  throat 
grading  into  gray  of  breast  without 
CC,  F,  c,  1.  1-3.  strong  contrast ;  head  with  three  distinct 
white  stripes;  bill,  deep  red,  fig.  277.  Young,  with  top  of 
head  reddish  with  lines  of  reddish-buff.  Breeds  in  eastern 
N.  A.  from  northern  N.  E.  northward  through  Labrador  to 
to  southern  Greenland ;  goes  south  in  Oct. ;  north  in  May. 


PLATE  18*. 


GOLDEN-WINGED  WAKBLER. 


DIRECTORY    TO    BIRDS    OF    EASTERN   NORTH   AMERICA.    211 

Frequents  open  sections  near  thickets.     Song,   notes   much 
Fig.  277.  shorter  than  1  and  given  more  quickly, 

something  like  those  of  the   Yesper 
Sparrow,  which  see. 

3.  GOLDEN- CROWNED    SPAR- 
ROW,   Z.  CORONATA.     Differs  from  2  in 
being  grayer,  especially  on  throat,   and 
in  having  the  median  line  on  crown  yel- 
low and  wider.      Breeds  in  the  northern 
Pacific  Coast  Region,  migrating  south  in 
winter  as  far  as  Lower   California  ;    cas- 
ual during  migration  in  Wis. 

4.  HARRIS'S  SPARROW,  Z.  QUER- 
ULA.      Differs   from  3  in  being  a  little 
larger,   in  having  the  top  of  head  and 
throat  black,  and  the  lower  parts  white 
elsewhere.      Interior  plains  of  N.  A. ;  in 

CC,  F,  c,  2.     1-3.  winter  south  to  Texas;  during  migration 
east  to  AVis.  and  111. 

d.    Song-  Sparrows.    Melospiza. 

Sparrows  of  varying  sizes  with  short,  rounded  wings  and 
long,  rounded  tails  streaked  on  both  surfaces.  Frequent 
thickets,  into  which  they  dart  when  disturbed.  Flight,  weak 
and  erratic.  Nests  on  the  ground  or  in  bushes ;  eggs,  simi- 
lar to  c. 

1.  SONG  SPARROW,  M.  MELODIA.  6.40;  reddish  above, 
white  below  where  the  streaks  accumulate  to  form  a  central 
spot  on  breast  and  on  lower  jaws,  fig.  278.  Breeds  in  eastern 
N.  A.  from  Va.  north  to  the  Fur  Countries;  winters  from 
Mass,  to  Fla. ;  comes  north  in  March ;  goes  south  in  Nov. ; 
abundant.  Song,  variable,  but  typically  begins  with  three 
detached  notes,  runs  into  a  warble,  and  ends  with  two  notes  ; 
a  summer  variation  is  " Be-e-e-e  -wretched" ,  the  first  portion 
being  given  slowly,  the  "ivretch-ed"  rapidly  with  the  accent 


212 


SPARROWS   AND    FINCHES. 


on  the  "ed" ;  alarm  chirp,  soft.     Occurs  in  scattering  flocks 

in  migration,  often  with  other  sparrows ;  is  especially  fond  of 

bushes  which  border  water. 

Fig.  278.  2.     LINCOLN'S    SPARROW,  M. 

LINCOLNII.  5.50;  more  slender  than  1; 
bill,  smaller,  paler  red  above,  buff  band 
across  breast ;  streakings,  finer,  fig.  279. 
Breeds  throughout  N.  A.  chiefly  north 
of  the  U.  S. ;  winters  in  Panama ;  goes 
south  in  Oct. ;  north  in  May.  Not  very 
common  in  N.  E.  Song,  low,  prolonged, 
varied  and  pleasing.  Frequents  thick- 
ets, often  near  water. 

3.  SWAMP  SPARROW,  M.  GEOR- 
GIANA.  5.70;  bill  more  slender  than  1 ; 
top  of  head  wholly  reddish-brown ;  back 
and  wings  with  a  much  richer  under 
tinting  of  reddish-brown  and  with  dark- 
er streakings;  beneath,  grayish  across 
breast  with  the  streakings  faintly  indi- 
cated, fig.  280.  In  winter  and  young, 
CJC,  F,  d,  1.  1-3.  with  top  of  head  more  or  less  streaked 

and  streakings  below  more  distinct.   Breeds  in  eastern  N.  A. 
Fig.  279.  Fig.  280.  ' 


CC,  F,  d,  2. 


CC,  F,  d,  3. 


DIRECTORY   TO    BIRDS    OF   EASTERN   NORTH   AMERICA.    213 

from  Mass,  north  to  Labrador  and  Newfoundland ;  winters 
from  Middle  States  south  to  Fla.,  less  commonly  north  to 
Mass. ;  south  in  Oct.,  north  in  April.  Frequents  swampy 
thickets  which  border  large  marshes.  Very  common.  Song 
a  rather  musical  trill ;  in  autumn  a  low,  murmuring  warble. 
Nests  on  tussocks  in  open  marshes. 

e.    Rufous  Sparrows.    Passerella. 

Large  sparrows  with  rather  long  wings,  long,  slightly 
rounded  tails,  strong  bills,  and  large  feet;  heavily  streaked 
above  and  below. 

1.  FOX-COLORED  SPARROW,  P.  ILIACA.  7.25;  red- 
dish-yellow and  ashy  above,  brightest  on  tail;  white  beneath 
where  markings  are  reddish,  streakings  accumulate  as  in  d, 
1,  those  in  center  of  breast  being  dark,  fig.  281.  Breeds 
from  the  islands  about  the  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence  northward ; 
(less  commonly  in  northern  Me.)  to  the  Arctic  regions  ;  win- 
ters from  southern  N.  E.  to  Fla. ;  south  in  Oct. ;  north  in 
April.  Common.  Frequents  thickets,  feeding  on  the  ground, 
scratches  much  among  the  leaves,  etc.  Song,  begins  loud 
and  clear  with  three  double  notes  ending  with  two.  the  last 
accented,  "  Wil-lie  wil-lie  wil-lie  work  you"  one  of  the  finest 
of  our  sparrow  songs.  Nest  on  ground ;  eggs,  pale  blue  heav- 
ily spotted  with  reddish-brown. 

f.    Ground  Bunting's.    Pipilo. 

Large  Fringiline  birds  with  long  tails,  short  wings,  and 
large  feet,  which  live  mostly  upon  the  ground  in  thickets ; 
nests  on  ground ;  eggs  (of  our  species),  pale  blue  thickly  spot- 
ted with  reddish-brown. 

1.  RED-EYED  TOWHEE,  P.  ERYTHROPHTHALMUS.  8.00; 
upper  parts,  lower  neck,  and  upper  breast,  black ;  sides,  red- 
dish-brown ;  few  markings  on  wings,  tips  of  outer  tail  feath- 
ers, and  middle  parts  beneath,  white ;  iris,  red,  fig.  282.  Fe- 
male, black  replaced  by  brownish.  Breeds  from  southern 
British  Provinces  south  to  Gulf  Coast,  winters  from  Middle 
States  (rarely  north  to  Mass.)  to  Fla. ;  south  in  Oct. ;  north  in 


214  SPARROWS    AND    FINCHES. 

May.     Common.     Song,  uttered  when  perching  high,  two  ab- 
ruptly given,  accented  notes  followed  by  a  prolonged  trill4, 
Fig.  281.  Fig.  282. 


CC,  F,  e,  1.    1-3.  CC,  F,  f,  1.    1-4. 

*-k  Drink  your  te-e-e-e-e"  ;  a  loudly  and  sharply  given  "Tou>- 
Siee"  when  annoyed  which  is  sometimes  interpreted  as  "C/te- 
ivink'1'1  by  which  name  the  bird  is  sometimes  known.  Fre- 
quently scratches  among  fallen  leaves  in  dry  thickets. 

2.  FLORIDA  TOWHEE,  P.  ALLANI.      A  little  smaller 
than  1 ;  less  white  on  tail  and  wings,  paler  reddish  on  sides ; 
black  inclined  to  be  slaty ;   iris,   white  or  yellowish-white. 
Florida.     Song,  shorter  and  more  quickly  given  ;  alarm  note, 
"Jo-ree." 

3.  ARCTIC  TOWHEE,  P.  ARCTICUS.     Differs  from  1  in 
being  grayer  above,  paler  on  sides,  more  white  on  wings  and 
tail,  and  streaks  of  white  on  sides  of  back.     Great  Plains  to 
the  Rockies,  east  casually  to  Wis. 

g.    Snowbirds.    Junco. 

Small  sparrows  with  long,  pointed  wings  and  moderately 
long  tails ;  bills,  rather  small ;  dark,  often  slaty,  above ;  white 
below,  adults  unstreaked  on  either  surface;  young,  streaked 
above  and  below  ;  outer  tail  feathers,  white. 

1.  SLATE-COLORED  JUNCO,  J.  HYEMALIS.  6.25; 
dark  slaty  throughout  excepting  nearly  black  on  head,  mid- 
dle portions  beneath,  and  on  outer  tail  feathers,  the  line  of 


DIRECTORY   TO    BIRDS    OF    EASTERN    NORTH   AMERICA.     215 

demarkation  between  the  white  and  slate  of  breast  being 
sharply  denned  ;  bill,  pink,  fig.  283.  Female,  duller.  Breeds 
from  the  mountains  of  Penn.,  Mass.,  and  N.  Y.  northward  to 
the  Arctic  Coast;  winters  from  Mass,  south  to  northern  Fla. ; 
south  in  Oct. ;  north  in  April.  Nests  on  ground;  eggs,  pale 
blue,  finely  spotted  with  reddish-brown.  Frequents  the 
neighborhood  of  thickets  and  woodlands.  Song,  a  musical, 
tinkling  trill ;  in  winter  and  early  spring,  a  low,  more  mus- 
ical warble;  note  of  annoyance,  a  sharp  chirp,  given  double 
when  much  alarmed.  Flight,  rapid  and  darting,  but  some- 
what erratic.  Common. 

2.  CAROLINA  JUNCO,  J.  CAROLINENSIS.     Differs  from 
1  in  being  larger,  with  larger  bill,  lighter  above,  head  nearly 
like   back;   young,    more   narrowly  streaked  and  darker  on 
breast  and  sides.     Breeds  in  the  higher  portions  of  the  south- 
ern Alleghanies  from  Ya.  south  to  northern  Ga. ;  in  winter, 
descends  to  the  surrounding  lowlands. 

3.  MONTANA  JUNCO,  J.  MONTANUS.      Differs  from  1 
in  being  a  little  smaller;  brownish  patch  on  back ;  sides  and 
flanks,  purplish-cinnamon;  general   tinting   above,   grayer. 
Breeds  from   northwestern   Montana   and   northern   Idaho, 
north  to  Northwest  Territory ;  winters  from  Ariz,  south  to  Tex . 
and  northern  Mexico;  straggling  eastward  to  Kan.,  111.,  Mich.? 
Ind.,  Mass.,  and  Md. 

Fig.  283.  Fig.  284. 


CC,  F,  g,  1.     1-4.  CC,  F,  h,     1.     1-4. 


SPARROWS   AND   FINCHES. 

4.  GRAY-HEADED  JUNCO,  J.  CANICEPS.  Differs  from 
1  in  being  uniform  gray  above  ;  patch  of  reddish-cinnamon  on 
back.  Breeds  in  the  mountains  of  southern  Wyo.,  Utah, 
Nev.,  and  northern  N.  M. ;  winters  in  surrounding  lowlands 
and  southward  to  northern  Mexico ;  accidental  in  Mich, 
h.  Woodland  Sparrows.  Peucaea. 

Small  or  medium  sparrows  with  short,  often  truncate, 
wings  and  rather  long,  graduated  tails  ;  streaked  above,  but 
unstreaked  below. 

1.  PINE-WOODS  SPARROW,  P.  ASTIVALIS.  6.70  ;  gray 
above  thickly  streaked  with  chestnut,  darkening  to  brown  on 
middle  of  back;  white  below;  throat,  breast,  and  sides,  dull 
buff,  fig.  284.  Young,  more  reddish  above  and  narrowly 
streaked  on  breast  with  dusky.  Partly  resident,  but  many 
migrate  southward  in  winter.  Frequents  the  flat,  grassy  pine 
woods.  Flight,  low,  fluttering  and  erratic ;  keeps  much  in 
the  grass,  through  which  it  runs  nimbly,  and  is  quite  diffi- 
cult to  start.  Song,  given  when  perching  on  the  lower  limb 
of  a  tree,  or  on  a  stump,  a  prolonged,  rather  swee,t  trill  end- 
ing with  a  series  of  chirps  or  a  harsh  tiill. 

1*.  BACHMAN'S  SPARROW,  P.  A.  BACHMANI.  A  lit- 
tle larger  than  1,  more  buffy  above ;  streakings  more  reddish , 
and  clearer  buff  beneath.  Breeds  from  S.  C.,  northern  Ga. 
and  the  Gulf  Coast  west  of  Fla.  north  to  southern  Va.,  south 
ern  Ind.,  and  southern  111. ;  south  in  winter  to  Fla. 
i.  Buffy  Sparrows.  Coturniculus. 

Small  sparrows  with  short,  truncated  wings,  short,  grad- 
uated tails  with  narrow,  pointed  feathers,  with  ab.uffy  under 
tint;  crown,  with  central  stripe  of  buff. 

1.  GRASSHOPPER  SPARROW,  C.  PASfeERiNUS.  5.15; 
ashy  above  streaked  with  reddish  and  brown;  edge  of  wing 
and  line  over  eye  to  bill,  yellow;  middle  lower  parts,  white, 
fig.  285.  Young,  and  winter  adults  narrowly  and  obscurely 
streaked  across  breast  with  reddish.  Breeds  in  eastern  U.  S. 


DIRECTORY   TO    BIRDS    OF    EASTERN   NORTH    AMERICA.    217 


from  the  Middle  States  north  to  southern  Ontario ;  winters  in 
Fla.  and  some  of  the  West  Indies;  south  in  Sep.;  north  in 
May.  Nest,  placed  on  the  ground  ;  eggs,  white,  spotted  with 
reddish-brown.  Frequents  sandy  fields  if  grassy,  hence  of 
local  distribution.  Flight,  fluttering  and  direct;  runs  nim- 
bly through  grass  and  is  difficult  to  start.  Song,  given  as  the 
"bird  perches  on  some  slight  elevation,  a  feeble,  stridulating 
trill,  inaudible  a  few  yards  away. 

2.  FLORIDA  GRASSHOPPER  SPARROW,  C.  AUSTRA- 
L.IS.  Smaller  than  1,  lighter  in  buffy  tints  but  with  the 
browns  darker.  Young  and  winter  adults  more  distinctly 
streaked  on  breast.  Fla. ;  southern  portion  of  state  and  Ba- 
hamas in  winter. 


Fig.  285. 


Fig.  286. 


CC,  F,  i,  1.    1-4.  CC,  F,  i,  3.    1-4. 

3.  HENSLOW'S  SPARROW,  C.  HENSLOWII.  More  slen- 
der than  1 ;  back  and  wings  more  red ;  head  and  neck  above, 
greenish;  distinct  dusky  streaks  across  breast  and  on  sides; 
no  yellow  over  eye,  fig.  286.  Breeds  in  eastern  U.  S.  from  the 
Middle  States  northward  ;  winters  from  its  southern  range  to 
middle  Fla. ;  south  in  Sep. ;  north  in  May ;  of  local  and  rather 
uncommon  occurrence  in  N.  E.  Frequents  marshy  lands  in 
summer;  grassy  savannas  in  winter.  Flight,  much  like  1, 
Song,  feeble,  "Se-e-e  -wick"  the  first  notes  prolonged,  the  last 
given  quickly  and  accented. 


218  SPARROWS    AND    FINCHES. 

4.  LECONTE'S  SPARROW,  C.  I.ECONTEII.  5.00;  more 
slender  than  3;  head  and  hind  neck,  buff,  the  latter  streaked 
with  chestnut,  more  buff  beneath ;  edge  of  wing,  white,  fig. 
287.  Breeds  in  the  prairie  marshes  of  the  upper  Mississippi 
Valley  north  into  the  British  Possessions ;  winters  in  the 
Southern  States  from  S.  C.  to  western  Fla.  Habits,  similar  to  3. 
j.  Marsh  Sparrows.  Ammodramus. 

Slender  sparrows  differing  from  i  in  having  longer  and 
more  slender  bills,  rather  larger  feet,  and  in  being  more 
heavily  streaked  beneath.  Nests,  often  on  the  ground ;  eggs, 
pale  blue  spotted  with  brown.  Flight,  low  and  direct  with 
rapid  wing-beats. 

Fig.  287.  Fig.  288. 


CC,  F,  i,  4.     1-3.  CC,  F,  j,  1.     1-3. 

1.  SEASIDE  SPARROW,  A.  MARITIMUS.  5.50;  green- 
ish gray  above  obscurely  streaked  with  darker ;  line  from  over 
eye  to  bill  and  edge  of  wing,  yellow ;  white  beneath,  reddish- 
buff  of  breast,  sides  and  under  tail  coverts  rather  obscurely 
streaked  with  gray ;  sides  of  head,  gray  ;  a  dusky  maxillary 
line,  fig.  288.  Salt  marshes  of  Atlantic  Coast  of  U.  S.,  breed- 
ing from  southern  N.  E.  to  Ga. ;  winters  from  the  Carolinas 
southward.  Abundant.  Frequents  the  tall  grasses  of  the 
marshes  which  are  submerged  by  the  tides,  nesting  on  the 
dry  marshes,  sometimes  on  the  ground  but  often  fastened  to 


BIKBCTOUY   TO    BIRDS    OF    EASTERN    NOKTH    AMERICA.     2 

grass   stems   or   placed   in  low  bushes.    Song,  a  low  twitter, 
given  as  the  bird  hovers  low  over  the  grass. 

1*.  MACGILLIVRAY'S  SEASIDE  SPARROW,  A.  M. 
MACGII.I.IVRAII.  Differs  from  1  in  being  darker,  with  back 
distinctly  streaked  with  black  and  the  streaks  beneath  are 
broader.  From  Charleston  S.  C.  to  eastern  Fla.  breeding  on 
Anastasia  Island ;  in  winter  along  the  Gulf  coast  to  La. 

2.  SCOTT'S  SEASIDE  SPARROW,  A.  PENINSULAE,     Dif- 
fers from  1  in  being  more  uniformly  colored  above  with  no 
prominent  streakings;  grayer  below  with  the  streakings  ex- 
tended often  encroaching  upon  the  throat.     Breeds  in  west- 
ern Fla.  from  Tarpon  Springs  to  Cedar  Keys,  in  March.    Song, 
four  notes ;  the  first  two  low  and  quickly  uttered  with  a  dis- 
tinct articulation,  the  last  two  more  connected,  more  prolong- 
ed with  a  decided  accent,  the  song  somewhat  resembling  that 
of  a  Red-winged   Blackbird   and   the  bird   bows   his  head, 
spreads  his  tail,  and  ruffles  his  feathers  much  as  does  the 
Red-wing;  the  song  is  given  as  the  bird  sits  low  in  the  grass. 

3.  FISHER'S  SEASIDE  SPARROW,  A.  FISHERI.      Dif- 
fers from  1*  in  being  much  darker;  more  black  above;  the 
breast  and  sides  deep  buffy.     Breeds  on  the  coast  of  La. ;  in 
winter  along  the  west  coast  of  Fla.  to  Tarpon  Springs. 

4.  DUSKY  SEASIDE  SPARROW,  A.  NIGRESCENS.     Dif- 
fers from  1  in  being  black  above  indistinctly   streaked  with 
grayish ;  white  beneath  broadly  streaked  everywhere   with 
black.     Merritt's   Island   and  shores   of  Banana  and  Indian 
Rivers  north  to  the  old  Haulover  Canal  and  about  Salt  Lake, 
upper   St.  Johns  River,  east   Fla.     Frequents  dry  marshes. 
Song,  and  manner  of  singing,  like  1.     Common.     Resident. 

5.  SHARP-TAILED  SPARROW,  A.  CAUDACUTUS.   5.50; 
sides  of  head,  deep  buff;  spot  below  eye,  gray;  paler  buff  be- 
neath excepting  middle  of  body  which  is  white,  much  streak- 
ed on  sides  and  across  breast  with  dark-brown ;  top  of  head, 
dark-brown,  with  a  median  line  of  gray ;  upper  parts,  mixed 
olive-brown,  ashy,  and  buff,  fig.  289.     Breeds  on  the  Atlantic 
coast  of  U.  S.  from  Mass,  south  to  northern  Fla. ;  winters 


22O  SPARROWS    AND    FINCHES. 

from  the  Carolinas  southward  to  northern  Fla. ;  casually  as 
Fig.  289.          far  as  Mass. ;  south  in  Oct. ;  north  in  May. 
Frequents   rather   dry   marshes.      Song,   a 
very  feeble  twitter  given  as  the  bird  hovers 
over  the  grass.     Abundant. 

6.  NELSON'S  SPARROW,  A.  NELSONI. 
Smaller  than  5,  especially  bill;  brighter  in 
color ;  streakings  above  more  sharply  de- 
nned;  those  below  paler,  often  grayish. 
Breeds  on  the  prairie  marshes  of  the  Missis- 
sippi Yalley  from  northern  111.  north  to 
Manitoba;  winters  along  the  Gulf  coast 
from  Texas  east  to  the  coast  of  S.  C.,  occas- 
CC,  F,  j,  5.  1-4.  ionally  at  this  season  and  during  migration 
as  far  north  as  the  coast  of  Mass.  Time  of  migration  as  in  5. 
7.  ACADIAN  SHARP-TAILED  SPARROW,  A.  SUBVIR- 
GATUS.  Differs  from  5  in  being  more  plainly  marked,  the  back 
without  conspicuous  lighter  streaks ;  sides  of  head,  pale-buff ; 
paler  buff  beneath.  Breeds  on  the  Atlantic  coast  of  the  Brit- 
ish Provinces  from  the  mouth  of  the  St.  Lawrence  southward, 
occasionally  to  the  coast  of  Me.  Winter  range  and  time  of 
migration  as  in  5. 

k.  Grass  Sparrows.  Passerculus. 
Small  sparrows  with  long,  broad  wings,  inner  seconda- 
ries nearly,  or  quite  as  long  as  primaries ;  rather  short,  quite 
square  tails,  with  feathers  somewhat  pointed  ;  conspicuously 
streaked  above  and  below.  Nest  on  ground;  eggs,  much  as 
in  d.  Frequent  open  sections  of  country. 

1.  SAVANNA  SPARROW,  P.  SAVANNA,  5.75  ;  grayish- 
buff  above  with  the  dark-brown  streakings  sharply  denned ; 
crown  with  median  line  of  buff;  sides  of  head  buff  with  a 
dark  spot  having  a  lighter  center  below  eye ;  line  from  over 
eye  to  bill,  and  edge  of  wing,  yellow;  white  beneath,  streak- 
ings arranged  much  as  in  d,  1 ;  feet,  pale  brown,  fig.  290. 
Eastern  N.  A.,  breeding  from  the  Middle  States  north  to  Hud- 


DIRECTORY   TO    BIRDS    OF    EASTERN   NORTH   AMERICA.    221 


on  the  coast;  winters  from 
Fig.  290. 


CC,  F,  k,  1.     1-3. 


son  Bay,  more  commonly  in  N.  E. 
the  Carolinas  to  Fla.  and 
rarely  in  the  Bahamas ;  cas- 
ually north  to  Mass. ;  south 
in  Oct. ;  north  in  April. 
Flight,  swift  and  darting, 
but  not  direct;  never  takes 
refuge  in  a  thicket;  runs 
nimbly  through  grass  where 
it  hides.  Song,  a  series  of  feeble,  grasshopper-like  notes  fol- 
lowed by  a  low  warble  given  as  the  bird  perches  at  a  slight 
elevation. 

2.  IPSWICH  SPARKOW,  P.  PRINCEPS.  Larger  than  1, 
6.25 ;  inner  secondaries  longer,  as  long  as  primaries;  paler, 
about  sand-color,  with  streakings  not  as  well  denned.  Breeds 
on  Sable  Island  off  Nova  Scotia ;  winters  south  to  N.  J.,  cas- 
ually to  Ga. ;  south  in  Oct. ;  north  in  April.  Frequents  the 
sand  dunes  of  the  coast.  Common. 

1.    Bay-winged  Sparrows.    Poocaetes. 
Differ  from  k  in  being  grayer,  having  white  outer  tail 
feathers,   streakings   below   confined   chiefly  to  breast,  and 
crown  undivided. 

VESPER  SPARROW,  P.  GRAMINEUS.  6.25;  differs 
from  k,  1  in  being  much  gray- 
er and  in  showing  the  white 
outer  tail  feathers  in  flight. 
Breeds  in  eastern  U.  S.  from 
the  Middle  States  north  to 
southern  Canada,  winters  from 
the  Carolinas  to  Fla.,  rarely  as 
far  north  as  Mass ;  south  in 
Oct. ;  north  in  April.  Fre- 
quents open  fields  and  pastures 
on  uplands  where  there  is  scanty  herbage;  runs  much  on 
ground ;  unsuspicious.  Song,  given  at  an  elevation,  two  short 


1. 


Fig.  291. 


CC,  F,  1,  1.     1-4. 


222  SPARROWS    AND    FINCHES. 

notes  followed  by  a  fine  clear  warble,  ending  with  three  de- 
tached notes.  Flight,  like  ]^  1. 

m.  Prairie  Sparrows.  Cliondestes. 

Medium-sized,  ground-inhabiting,  sparrows  with  long 
pointed  wings,  and  rather  long  well  rounded  tails;  no  streaks 
beneath. 

1.  LARK  SPARROW,  C.  GRAMMACUS.  6.50 ;  grayish-brown 
Fig.  292.  above  heavily  streaked  with 

black ;  crown,  chestnut  and 
black  with  a  median  line  of 
gray ;  dull  white  beneath  ; 
black  spot  on  breast;  black 
markings  on  sides  of  head  as 
in  fig.  292 ;  tip  of  tail,  broad- 
ly white.  Breeds  in  north- 
ern Mississippi  Valley,  mi- 
CC,  F,  m,  1.  1-4.  grating  southward  in  winter 

to  Gulf  coast;  eastward  rarely  to  Atlantic  states  north  to 
Mass.  Frequents  open  fields  and  cultivated  lands,  often  in  the 
vicinity  of  houses.  Song,  rich  and  clear,  consisting  of  a  series 
of  liquid  notes  freely  interspersed  with  trills. 

n.  Black  and  White  Sparrows.    Calamospiza. 

Rather  large  sparrows  with  large  bills,  long  wings,  rath- 
er long,  square  tails,  and  large  feet ;  black  with  white  mark- 
ings ;  ground-inhabiting. 

1.  LARK  BUNTING,  C.  MELANOCORYS.  6.00;  black;  large 


white  patch  on  wing  and  some 
white  on  tip  of  tail,  fig.  293, 
upper  figure  male,  lower  fe- 
male ;  female,  winter  male  and 
young,  brownish  buff  above 
streaked  with  dusky ;  white 
beneath,  streaked  with  black; 
wings  and  tail  as  in  male. 
Great  Plains  from  Kansas  north 
to  Manitoba ;  winters  south  to 


Fig.  293.- 


CO,  F,  n,  1. 


DIRECTORY   TO    BIRDS    OF    EASTERN   NORTH   AMERICA.     223 

Mexico;  accidental  in  migration  in  N.  Y.,  S.  C.,  and  Mass. 

Song,  sweet  and  varied  as  the  bird  hovers  in  air.     Gregarious 

excepting  when  breeding.     Flight,  swift,  strong  and  direct. 

o.    Snow  Buntings.    Passerina. 

Good-sized,  ground-inhabiting  sparrows  with  very  long, 
pointed  wings,  moderately  long,  square  tails,  and  small  bills; 
black  and  white ;  hind  toe  nail  long. 

1.  SNOW  BUNTING,  P.  NIVALIS.  6.66;  white;  back, 
middle  wing  and  tail,  black;  bill,  orange,  fig.  294;  in  winter 
and  young,  tinged  with  reddish.  Breeds  in  Arctic  and  sub- 
Arctic  regions  from  northern  Labrador  northward;  in  N.  A. 
migrating  south  in  winter  regularly  to  N.  E.,  more  rarely  as 
far  south  as  Ga. ;  south  in  Oct. ;  north  in  April.  Gregarious 
in  winter,  frequenting  the  sand  -Fig.  294. 

dunes  of  the  coast  and  open 
fields  of  the  interior ;  flight, 
strong  and  swift,  but  very  erra- 
tic ;  run  swiftly  on  the  ground ; 
restless,  flying  often  from 
place  to  place.  Song,  a  sweet 
warble,  given  while  hovering, 
seldom  heard  off  the  breeding 
grounds ;  in  winter,  a  sweet  sin- 
gle or  double  note,  less  often  a  quite  melodious  trill  and  a 
kind  of  chirring  sound,  all  given  when  on  the  wing, 
p.  Longspurs.  Calcariiis. 

Differ  from  o  in  having  the  color  more  varied,  black, 
white  and  chestnut,  streaked  above;  hind  toe  nail,  longer. 

1.  LAPLAND  LONGSPUR,  C.  LAPPONICUS.  6.10; 
dark-brown  above  streaked  with  buffy  and  chestnut;  a  dis- 
tinct chestnut  collar;  buffy-white  beneath;  throat  and  spots 
on  sides,  black  ;  sides,  tinged  with  reddish  ;  outer  tail  feath- 
ers with  terminal  spot  of  white,  fig.  295.  Female  and  young 
differ  in  having  the  back  much  obscured  by  whitish ;  duller. 


CC,  F,  o,  1.    1-4. 


224  SPARROWS    AND    FINCHES. 

Breeds  in  Arctic  and  sub-Arctic  districts  of  Europe,  Green- 
land and  north-eastern  N.  A. ;  winters  from  N.  E.  south, 
somewhat  irregularly  to  S.  C. ;  common  in  N.  E.  from  middle 
Oct.  to  Dec. ;  1  ess  common  in  winter ;  rare  in  spring.  Song  on 
Fig.  295.  breeding  ground,  a  rollicking,  joy- 

ous melody,  given  when  hovering ; 
in  autumn  and  winter,  a  call  like 
O,  1,  but  rather  more  liquid  \  a 
harsh  chirr  given  when  starting  to 
fly ;  flight,  rather  more  steady  than 
o,l.  Associate  with  Horned 
Larks  arid  Snow  Buntings,  or  gath- 
er in  small  flocks  by  themselves ; 
CC,  F,  p,  1.  1-4.  occur  in  similar  places. 

2,  PAINTED  LONGSPUR,    C.  PICTUS.     Differs  from  1 
in  having  the  outer  tail  feathers  white;  entire  lower  parts 
deep,  yellowish-buff;  crown  and  sides  of  head,  black;  stripe 
behind  eye,  on  middle  ear  coverts,  and  on  lower  jaw,  white; 
white  wing  bar.     Breeds  on  interior  plains   of  N.   A.   from 
Great  Slave  Lake  north  to  the  Arctic  coast;  south  in  winter 
to  Texas;  east  regularly  to  111.  and  northwestern  Ind. ;  cas- 
ually to  S.  C. 

3.  CHESTNUT-COLLARED  LONGSPUR,    C.  ORNATUS. 
Differs  from  1  in  having  top  of  head,  spot  on  ear  coverts,  and 
beneath,  black  ;  throat,  broad  stripe  over  eye,  and  wing  band, 
white.     Breeds  on  the  Great  Plains   of   N.   A.   from   Kansas 
north  to  the  Saskatchewan ;  migrates  south  to  Mexico  and 
casually  east  to  the  coast  of  N.  E.  and  Long  Island.     Song, 
short,  shrill  and  sweet,  given  usually  in  flight. 

q.    Short-tailed  Long-spurs.    Rynchophanes. 

Differ  from  p  in  having  a  decidedly  thicker  bill  and 
shorter  tail ;  flight,  undulating. 

1.  MCCOWN'S  LONGSPUR,  R.  MCCOWNII.  6.00;  front 
of  crown,  narrow  line  from  bill  to  eye,  and  crescent  on  breast, 
black;  brownish  and  buffy-gray  above  broadly  streaked  with 
dusky ;  outer  portion  of  tail,  white  broadly  tipped  with  black. 


DIRECTORY    TO    BIHDS    OF    EASTERN    NORTH    AMERICA.    225 


Female  without  black  of  head  or  breast;  buffy  beneath. 
Breeding  range  and  southward  migration  much  as  in  p,  2 ; 
casual  east  to  111. 

r.    Rosy  Finches.    Carpodacus. 

Usually  small,  tree-inhabiting  finches  with  long  wings 
and  moderately  long,  forked  tails;  bills,  short  and  thick; 
males,  partly  crimson ;  females,  gray ;  feathers  of  crown  some- 
what elongated. 

1.  PURPLE  FINCH,  C.  PURPTJREUS.  6.00;  crimson- 
lake,  brightest  on  crown,  obscurely  streaked  with  dusky  on 
back :  abdomen  and  under  tail  coverts  white ;  bill,  pale  brown, 
fig.  296.  Female  and  young,  greenish-brown  above,  white  be- 
low, heavily  streaked  with  dusky ;  a  prominent  white  line 
over  eye,  adult  male  dress  not  assumed  Fig.  296. 

the  first  year.  Eastern  N.  A. ;  breeds 
from  Penn.  north  to  Hudson  Bay ;  win- 
ters from  Mass,  to  Fla.  Common,  less  so 
now  in  eastern  Mass,  than  formerly. 
Frequents  open  country.  Nests  usually 
in  cedar  trees ;  eggs,  blue  spotted  with 
black.  Song,  given  also  by  the  young 
male,  and,  at  least  occasionally,  by  the 
female,  a  continuous  warble ;  sometimes 
given  more  rapidly  and  musically  as  the 
bird  ascends  in  air  and  descends;  a  low, 
whispered  melody  given  while  in  con- 
cealment; alarm,  a  sharp  chirp.  Flight, 
swift,  direct,  undulating,  with  a  charac- 
teristic quiver  to  wings.  In  perching, 
sit  upright. 

s.    Pine  Grosbeaks.    Pinicola. 

Large,  tree-inhabiting  finches  with  long  wings  and  forked 
tails ;  bills,  large  and  hooked  ;  no  streakings  beneath.  Nests, 
in  trees ;  eggs,  pale  blue,  dotted  with  black. 


CC,  F,  r,  1.    1-4. 


226  SPARROWS    AND    FINCHES. 

1.     CANADIAN    PINE    GROSBEAK,     P.    CANADENSIS. 
8.60;  rosy-red;   back,   obscurely   spotted   with   dusky;  two 
Fig.  297.          white  wing  bands,   fig.  297.       Female, 
gray ;  top  of  h  e  a  d  and  rump,  bronzy- 
yellow.     Young  male,  similar  to  female 
but  more  or  less  red,   depending  upon 
age.     Breeds  in  northeastern  N.  A.  from 
New  Brunswick  north  to  the  limits  of  the 
coniferous  forests;  wandering   south 
when  the  coniferous  seed  crop  fails,  to 
N.  J.,  northern  Ohio,  Ind.,  and  111. ;  cas- 
ual further  south.     Occurs  wherever  it 
can  obtain  food,  which,  with  us,  consists 
of  the  fruit  of  the  cedar,  mountain  ash, 
common  ash,  etc.      Yery   unsuspicious. 
Song,  a   low,   continuous,   quite  sweet, 
CC,  F,  s,  1.     1-5.    warble;  call,  a  loud,  clear,  double  note. 
Flight,  swift,  direct,  and  undulating.     Gregarious  in  winter. 

t.    Redpolls.    Acanthis. 

Small  birds  with  very  short,  pointed  bills,  long,  pointed 
wings,  and  long,  forked  tails ;  streaked,  often  rosy ;  tree-in- 
habiting. Nests,  in  trees;  eggs,  pale  blue  dotted  with  black. 
Gregarious.  Flight,  undulating. 

1.  REDPOLL,  A.  LINARIA.  Chord  of  upper  mandible 
straight ;  ashy-white  streaked  above  and  below  with  dusky ; 
crown,  crimson;  dusky,  spot  on  throat;  anterior  parts  below 
and  rump,  rosy,  plate  21.  Female  and  young  male,  rosy  tint- 
ing absent;  less  crimson  on  crown.  Northern  part's  of  north- 
ern hemisphere,  breeding  from  the  islands  iathe  Gulf  of  St. 
Lawrence  northward ;  south  irregularly  when  one  source  of 
the  food  supply  (seeds  of  birches)  fails  and  another  (weed 
seeds)  is  covered  by  deep  snows,  to  the  more  northern  U.  S., 
rarely  to  Ya.  and  northern  Ala.  Common.  Come  south  in 
Nov. ;  go  north  in  March  or  early  April.  Song,  a  sweet,  me- 
lodious warble;  call,  a  double  note  similar  to  that  of  the 
Goldfinch,  but  not  as  clear;  a  kind  of  chatter  when  flying. 


DIRECTORY    TO    BIRDS    OF    EASTERN   NORTH    AMERICA.   '227 

1*.  HOLBOELL'S  REDPOLL,  A.  i,.  HOLBOELLII.  Dif- 
fers from  1  in  being  larger.  Extreme  northern  portions  of 
Europe,  Asia,  and  N.  A.,  wandering  south  in  winter  rarely  as 
far  as  Mass.,  northern  Ind.,  and  Mich. 

2.  GREATER  REDPOLL,  A.  ROSTRATA.      Larger  than 
1 ;  chord  of  upper  mandible  convex  and  bill  heavier,  fig.  298, 
A ;  streakings  broader,  rosy  less  extended.  Resident  in  Green- 
land, wandering  south  in  winter,  irregularly  and  at  wide  in- 
tervals as  far   as   Mass,   (where  sometimes  common),   N.  Y., 
Mich.,  northern  Ind.,  and  northern  111 

3.  GREENLAND  REDPOLL,  A.  HORKEMANN  i.  Larger 
than  1 ;  very  pale  ;  rump,  white,  unstreaked ;  rosy  tinting  very 
pale.     Resident  in  Greenland,  Iceland,  and  Spitzbergen,  wan- 
dering in  winter  irregularly  to  the  region  about  Hudson  Bay 
and  casually  to  Ontario. 

4.  HOARY  REDPOLL,  A.  EXILIPHS.        Differs  from  3 
in  being  much  smaller  (about  the  size  of  1)  and  slightly  dark- 
er; bill,  very  short;  chord  of  upper  Fig.  298. 
mandible,  concave,  fig.  298,  B.  Cir-        ^ — ^ 
cumpolar-continental  districts,       "T- — ^g?  .T^ 
south  irregularly  in  winter  to   the 

more  northern  U.  S.,  Mass,  (rare),  Mich.,  and  111. 

5.  BREWSTER'S  LINNETT,  A.  BREWSTKRI.      Like  an 
immature  female  1  but  differs  in  having  no  red  on  the  crown, 
primaries  and  tail  feathers   edged  with   pale   yellow,  rump 
tinged  with  yellow.     Known  only  from   the  type  specimen 
taken  at  Waltham,  Mass.,  Nov.  1,  1870. 

u.    Siskins.    Spinus. 

Differ  from  t  in  having  the  bill  longer  and  more  pointed; 
colors,  black,  white  and  yellow. 

1.  PINE  SISKIN,  S.  PINUS.  5.25  ;  grayish-white  streaked 
with  dusky;  bases  of  wing  feathers  and  tail,  pale  yellow,  fig. 
299.  Breeds  in  the  higher  mountains  of  N.  C.,  Penn.,  N.  E., 
and  northward  through  the  coniferous  forest  districts  of  the 
British  Possessions,  wandering  south  with  the  failure  of  food 


228 


SPARROWS    AND    FINCHES. 


supply,  similar  to  t,  1,  as  far  as  the  Gulf  Coast.     Gregarious. 
Fig,  299.          Notes,   not   dissimilar  to  those  of  t,  1,  but 
rather  clearer. 

v.    Goldfinches.    Astrag-alinus. 

Differ  from  u  in  having  the  bill  shorter 
and  not  as  pointed.  No  yellow  at  the  base 
of  wing  or  tail  feathers. 

1.  AMERICAN  GOLDFINCH,  A.  TRIS- 
TIS.  5.60;  bright  lemon  yellow;  top  of 
head,  wings,  and  tail,  black;  two  white 
.  wing  bars  and  some  white  markings  on  tips 
of  wing  feathers,  fig.  300.  Female  and  win- 
ter male, .greenish  above,  dull  white  below; 
CC,  F,  u,  1.  1-4.  wings  and  tail  much  as  in  summer  (brown- 
er in  female) ;  young  strongly  tinged  with  buffy.  Breeds  in 
U.  S.  east  of  the  Rockies  north  Fig.  300. 

into  the  southern  British  Pos- 
sessions, southward  along  the 
mountains  to  Ga.  ;  winters  from 
Mass,  to  Fla.  Frequents  open 
country;  gregarious  in  winter. 
Song,  a  continuous  warble, 
very  sweet,  sometimes  given  as 
the  bird  flies  in  a  circle  ;  call,  a 
single  plaintive  cry  and  a  "Per 
chick-cr-ry'1'1  given  when  rising 
in  its  undulating  flight.  Nests  CC,  F,  v,  1.  1-4. 

often  In  willows  or  ornamental  trees ;    eggs,    pale   blue,   un- 
spotted ;  breeds  late  in  June. 

w.    Crossbills.    Loxia. 

Medim-sizerl  finches  with  bills  crossed  at  tip,  fig.  301 ; 
wings,  long ;  tail,  short  and  forked :  tree-inhabiting.  Nests, 
in  trees;  eggs,  pale  blue,  dotted  with  black. 

1.  AMERICAN  CROSSBILL,  L.  MINOR.  6.00;  yellow- 
ish-red; wings  and  tail,  dusky.  Female  and  young  male, 
greenish-gray  ;  yellow  on  top  of  head  ;  from  this  males  grad- 


CC,  F,  w,  1. 


DIRECTORY    TO    BIRDS    OF    EASTERN    NORTH    AMERICA.    229 

ually  assume  the  adult  dress  through  a  series  of  mixed  plu 
mages.      Breeds     in    northern  Fig.  301. 

and  eastern  N.  A.  from  the 
mountains  of  northern  Ga.  into 
the  British  Possessions,  but  ir- 
regularly as  to  season  and  lo- 
cality ;  in  winter  wandering 
about  irregularly  according  to 
the  foodsupply.  Flight, 
steady,  swift  and  undulating. 
Gregarious.  Song,  a  Tow,  sweet 
warble;  call,  loud  and  clear, 
also  give  a  murmuring  chatter 
when  feeding.  Very  unsuspi- 
cious. 

2.       WHITE-WINGED    CEOSSBILL,    L.    I.EUCOPTERA. 
Differs  from  1  in  being  more  slender,  bill  not  as  stout;  crim- 
Fig.  302.  son;    wings  and  tail,  black,  the 

former  with  a  conspicuous  patch 
of  white,  fig.   302.      Female   and 
young  male,  similar  with   inter- 
mediate plumages,  but  with  white 
wing  patch.     Breeds  in  the  coni- 
ferous forests  of  northern    N.    A. 
from  the  islands  in  the  Gulf  of  St. 
Lawrence,  Me.,   N.    H  ,   northern 
N.  Y.  and  northern  Mich.,  north- 
ward; in  winter  south  irregularly 
(movements  governed  by  food  sup- 
CC,  F,  w,  2.     1-3.      ply)  as  far  as  District  of  Columbia, 
southern  Ohio,  central  Ind.,  and  southern  111.     Habits,  song 
etc.  much  like  those  of  1  but  feeds  more,  of  ten  on  weed  seeds 
and  is  even  more  unsuspicious. 

x.    American  Hawfinches.    Hesperiphones. 
Large  tree-inhabiting,    fringiline   birds  with  very  large 
bills,  long  wings,  short  tails  and  legs. 


23O  SPARROWS   AND    FINCHES. 

1.      EVENING    GROSBEAK,     H.    VESPERTINA.      7.60; 
forehead  and  broad  line  over  eye,  yellow;  top  of  head  black, 
Fig.  303.  gradually  changing  through  olive 

on  back  of  neck  and  upper  back  to 
clear  yellow  behind  on  both  sur- 
faces ;  wings,  brownish  with  a 
large  patch  of  white ;  tail,  black  ; 
bill,  greenish-yellow,  fig.  303.  In_ 
terior  of  N.  A.  east  of  the  Rockies, 
wandering  eastward  irregularly 
south  to  E&nsas  east  to  N.  E. 
Call  note,  loud  and  frequently  giv- 
en; song,  short  and  not  very  pleas- 
ing. 

y.    Song-  Grosbeak. 
Zameloclia. 

Large  fringiline  birds  with  large  bills,  long  wings,  and 
long,  square  tails;  nests  of  sticks  placed  in  trees  or  bushes, 
very  frail  structures ;  eggs,  blue,  spotted  with  reddish-brown . 

1.  HOSE-BREASTED  GROSBEAK,  Z.  LUDOVICI>^\ 
7.75 ;  head,  neck  and  above,  black,  large  patch  on  wings  and 


CC,  F,  x,  1. 


several  smaller  ones,  spots  on 
outer  tail  feathers,  rump,  and 
beneath,  white;  under  wing 
coverts  and  triangular  patch  on 
breast,  rose,  fig.  304.  Female, 
brown  above,  buffy  below, 
streaked  with  dusky ;  under 
wing  coverts,  saffron-yellow; 
median  line  of  crown,  and  line 
over  eye  whitish,  plate  2l 
bill  in  both  sexes,  pale-brown, 
whitish  beneath.  Breeds  in 
eastern  N.  A.  from  the  Middle 
States  to  the  southern  British 


Fig.  304. 


CC,  F,  y,  1.     1-4. 


DIRECTORY   TO   BIRDS    OF    EASTERN    NORTH   AMERICA.     231 

Possessions ;  along  the  Alleghanies  to  N.  C. ;  winters  in  Cen- 
tral America  and  northern  S.  A. ;  south  in  Sep. ;  north  in  May. 
Frequents  open  woodlands,  groves  and  orchards.  Common. 
Song,  rich,  clear  and  varied,  the  notes  flowing  together,  given 
sometimes  as  the  bird  flies  ;  alarm,  a  metallic  click.  Unsus- 
picious. Flight,  rather  swift  and  undulating. 

2.  BLACK-HEADED  GKOSBEAK,  Z.  MELANOCEPHALA. 
Differs  from  1  in  having  a  line  behind  eye,  collar  on  neck  be- 
hind, sometimes  mottlings  on  back  rump,  and  most  of  lower 
parts  buffy  cinnamon  ;  no  rose ;  under  wing  coverts  and  belly, 
yellow.  Female,  differs  from  1  chiefly  in  being  buffy  or 
ochraceous,  streakings  on  sides,  but  usually  none  on  breast ; 
yellow  beneath  as  in  male.  Western  U.  S.  from  Mexico  to 
British  Columbia ;  accidental  in  Mich. 

z.    Cardinals.    Cardinalis. 

Large,  crested  grosbeaks,  with  thick  bills,  short  wings, 
and  long  tails;  males,  bright  red.  Nests,  in  trees;  eggs, 
grayish  spotted  with  brown. 

1.  CARDINAL  GROSBEAK,  C.  CARDINALIS.  8.50;  ver- 
milion-red duller  above;  line  surround-  Fig.  306. 
ing  bill,  with  throat,  black  ;bill,  orange, 
fig.  305.  Female,  differs  in  being  gray- 
ish-yellow above  and  buffy  yellow  below, 
tinged  on  crest  and  breast  with  red; 
black  replaced  by  dusky.  Eastern  U. 
S.  from  the  Gulf  States,  excepting  Fla., 
north  to  southeastern  N.  Y.,  including 
Long  Island.  Resident.  Common,  fre- 
quenting thickets  and  the  margins  of 
swamps  and  woodlands.  Song,  loud, 
clear,  and  very  melodious,  "  Whe-er"  re- 
peated six  times,  liquid  and  clear ; 
u«^«*V-a"  quickly  given  five  or  six  times ; 
44  Wheat"  a  little  prolonged  and  exceed- 
ingly sweet  and  clear  also  given  six  CC,  F,  z,  1.  1-6. 


232  SPARROWS    ANI>    FINCHES. 

times.     Sings  at  almost  all  seasons,  at  least  from  Feb.  to  Nov. 
Alarm  note,  a  sharp  chirp. 

1*.  FLORIDA  CARDINAL,  C.  c.  FLORIDANUS.  Differs 
from  1  in  being  smaller,  darker,  and  deeper  red  beneath, 
female,  deeper  buff  below.  Fla. 

aa.    Blue  Grosbeaks.    Guiraca. 
Medium-sized  grosbeaks  with  rather  long,  pointed  wings 
and  long  tails ;  blue  with  tawny  wing-bands.     Nests,  in  trees ; 
eggs,  plain  pale  bluish. 

1.  BLUE  GROSBEAK  G  CAERULEA.  7.00;  deep  blue; 
narrow  line  at  base  of  bill,  black,  plate  18.  Female  and 
young,  reddish-brown,  paler  beneath.  Breeds  in  southern 
portions  of  eastern  U.  S.  from  N.  J.  andPenn.  (locally)  south- 
ward ;  winters  in  Yucatan  and  Cuba.  Song,  short  and  low, 
but  sweet;  alarm  note,  a  rather  loud  chirp.  Frequents  open 
sections,  on  the  banks  of  streams,  among  scattering  trees. 

bb.    Painted  Sparrows.    Cyaiiospiza. 
Small,  bright-colored  sparrows  with  long  wings  and  rath- 
er short  tails.     Females,  dull,  quite  uniform  in  color.     Our 
species  about  5.00. 

1.     INDIGO  BIRD,  C.  CYANEA.     Greenish-blue,  darker 
anteriorly.     Female,  brownish  above,  paler  beneath,  some- 
Fig.  306.  times    slightly  tinged  with  blue, 
fig.  306.     Eastern  U.   S.   north  to 
the  British  Provinces;  winters  in 
Central  America ;    south  in  Oct. ; 
north  in  May.     Frequents  brushy 
hillsides.    Nest,  placed  in  a  low 
bush  ;  eggs,  pale  blue.     Song,  ut- 
tered when  perching  on  a  tree  top, 
a  rather  harsh,  unmusical  warble, 
CC,  F,  bb,  1.           divided  into  two  parts,  and  given 
with    energy,    ending   abruptly,  heard  until  the  middle   of 
Aug. ;  alarm,  a  sharp  chirp.     Locally  common. 


DIRECTORY    TO    BIKDS    OF    EASTERN    NORTH    AMERICA.    233 

2.  PAINTED  BUNTING,    C.    CIRIS.      Head,    purplish- 
"biue;  back,  green;  rump,  upper  tail  coverts,  and  beneath, 
red.      Female,   greenish    above;   yellowish-green    beneath. 
Southern  U.  S.  north  to  N.  C.  and  southern  111. ;  winters  from 
southern  Fla.  south  to  Central  America;  south  in  Sep. ;  north 
in  March,     Frequents  thickets  in  the  concealment  of  which 
the  song,  which  is  exceedingly  sweet,  is  given. 

3.  VARIED  BUNTING,  C.  VERSICOLOH.     Differs  from 
2  in  having  the  parts  varied  with  purplish,  bluish,  and  red- 
dish ;  hind  part  of  head  and  upper  neck,  vermilion  ;  beneath, 
dull  purple,  reddish  patch  on  throat.  Female,  grayish-brown, 
paler  beneath ;  whitish  on   throat   and   abdomen.      Mexico, 
north  to  Texas  and  southern  Arizona;  accidental  in  Mich. 

cc.    Grassquits.    Euetheia. 

Small,  dull,  tree-inhabiting  sparrows  with  rounded  wings 
and  short  tails.  Nests,  in  trees,  spherical;  eggs,  pale  blue 
spotted  with  brown. 

1.  BAHAMA    GRASSQUIT,    E.    BICOLOR.     4.00;  dull 
black  on  head,  neck,  and  anterior  portion  of  body  ;  grayish- 
green  elsewhere,  fig.  307.     Female  Fig.  307. 
sometimes  like   male  but   usually 

duller  with  little  or  no  black.  Ba- 
hamas :  accidental  in  southern  Fla. 
Frequents  settlements,  nesting  in 
trees  about  houses.  Unsuspicious. 
Song,  begins  with  two  or  three  li- 
quid notes  given  with  a  clear,  bell- 
like  tone,  followed  by  a  lisping 
series  of  notes.  Somewhat  grega- 
rious. Abundant. 

2.  MELODIOUS  GRASSQUIT, 

E.  OANORA.  Differs  from  1  in  being  CC,  F,  cc,  1.     1-2. 

more  greenish  above  and  darker  below ;  line  back  of  eye  and 
tuft  of  elongated  feathers  on  side  of  neck,  yellow.  Female, 
with  black  of  head  replaced  by  chestnut;  yellow,  duller. 
Cuba;  accidental  on  Sombrero  Key,  Fla. 


234 


SPARROWS    AND    FINCHES. 


G.    HONEY  CREEPERS.    Coerebidae. 

Small  birds  with  nine  primaries,  moderately  long  wings 
Fig.  308.  and  tails,  curved,  sharp- 

ly pointed  bills,  fig.  308; 
deeply  cleft  tongue,  and 
small  st o m a  ch  .  Fre- 
quent woodlands.  Food, 
chiefly,  or  wholly,  fruit 
and  the  sweet  juices  of 
flowers.  Tropics  of 
America. 

a.    Bananaquits. 

CC,  G,  a,  1.    1-2.  Coereba. 

Tarsi,  long;  colors,  black  above  or  throughout,  often 
with  yellow  and  white  markings. 

1.  BAHAMA  BANANAQUIT,  C.  BAHAMENSIS.  4.50; 
dull  black  above;  line  over  eye,  spot  on  wing,  and  beneath, 
white ;  rump  and  patch  on  breast,  yellow.  Bahamas,  com- 
mon ;  casual  or  rare  in  southern  Fla.  Flight,  strong  and  di- 
rect. Song,  a  series  of  low,  crackling  notes.  Nests,  in  trees, 
domed,  but  irregular  in  form. 
H.  AMERICAN  WARBLERS.  Mniotiltidae. 

Differ  from  G  in  having  bills  less  strongly  curved,  slen- 
der or  flat;  stomachs,  large.  Confined  to  the  continent  of 
America  and  adjacent  islands.  Food,  chiefly  insects.  Eggs, 
white  to  greenish,  or  bluish,  spotted  with  brown  of  varying 
shades. 

(Note.  The  view  which  I  have  taken  regarding  the  gen- 
eric divisions  of  this  family  is  the  result  of  Tny  anatomical 
and  other  investigations  of  the  group.  The  generic  charac- 
ters, here  given  in  brief,  will  be  further  elaborated  in  a  work 
which  I  now  have  in  hand  upon  the  subject.) 


DIRECTORY   TO   BIRDS    OF   EASTERN   NORTH   AMERICA.     235 

a.    Creeping  Warblers.    Mniotilta. 

Slender  warblers  with  long,  somewhat  curved  bills,  long 
wings,  large  feet  with  the  hind  toe  long;  black  and  white; 
ancestral  home,  north-western  S.  A. 

1.  BLACK  AND  WHITE  WARBLER,  M.  VARIA.  5.25; 
black  and  white  in  stripes ;  crown  divided  by  a  white  line, 
fig.  309.  Female,  duller.  Breeds  in  Fig.  309. 

eastern  N.  A.  from  Ya.  north  to  Hud- 
son Bay ;  winters  from  the  Gulf  States, 
Bahamas,  and  West  Indies  to  north- 
ern S.  A. ;  north  in  late  April;  south 
in  Sep.  Common ;  frequents  open 
woodlands,  creeping  with  a  sidling, 
jerky  motion  about  trees.  Song,  a 
sharp  " We-see"  given  five  or  six 
times;  a  longer,  louder  lay,  much 
like  the  ordinary  song  of  the  Nash- 
ville Warbler.  Nests  on  ground  near 
base  of  a  tree,  clump  of  bushes,  or 
rock,  usually  partly  domed  with  fal- 
len leaves. 

b.    Long-billed  Warblers.    Neodendroica, 

General  form,  similar  to  a,  bill  stouter,  wings  shorter, 
and  feet  smaller;  two  wing  bands  and  tail  spots  on  three  or 
four  outer  tail  feathers.  Ancestral  home,  Central  America. 

1.  YELLOW-THROATED  WARBLER,  N.  DOMINICA. 
5.25;  throat,  yellow;  otherwise  white  below;  pale  slaty-blue 
above;  front  of  crown  and  markings  on  sides  of  head  and 
sides  as  in  fig.  310;  line  from  bill  over  eye,  yellow  in  front, 
white  behind.  Breeds  in  the  Atlantic  coast  district  from  Fla. 
north  to  Ya.,  casually  to  N.  Y.,  Conn.,  and  Mass. ;  winters  in 
Fla.,  Bahamas,  and  most  of  the  West  Indies  ;  north  in  March  ; 
south  in  Aug.  and  Sep.  Occurs  in  open  woodlands,  usually 
in  tree  tops.  Song,  a  short,  low  warble. 


CC,  H, 


236 


WARBLESS. 


1*.  SYCAMORE  WAKELER,  K.  D.  ALBILORA.  Smaller 
than  1  with  a  smaller  bill,  line  at  base  of  bill  with  little  orno 
yellow.  Mississippi  Valley,  north  to  southern  Mich.,  east  to 
Ohio  and  casually  to  S.  C.  during  migration. 

c.    Blue  Warblers.    Caeruleocantor. 

Bill,  wings,  and  tail  coverts,  rather  short;  feet,  small; 
tail  spots,  present ;  white  spot  at  base  of  primaries ;  no  wing 
bands  nor  yellow  markings;  sexes  dissimilar.  Origin  of 
group,  north-western  S.  A.  Type,  Motacilla  caerulescens 
Gmelin. 

Fig.  310.  Fig.  311. 


CC,  H,  b,  1.     1-3.  CC,  H,  c,  1.     1-3. 

1.  BLACK-THROATED  BLUE  WARBLER,  C.  CAERU- 
5.25; dusky-blue  above;  white  beneath,  fig.  311. 
Female,  olivaceous  above,  ochraceous-white  beneath  and  on 
line  over  eye  ;  white  wing  patch  present.  Common,  breeding 
from  the  mountains  of  Penn.,  eastward  to  western  Mass., 
east  through  Worcester  Co.,  north  to  Hudson  Bay  ;  winters  in 
Bahamas,  West  Indies,  and  north-eastern  S.  A. ;  north  in  May ; 
south  in  Sep.  Song,  a  zweeing  lisp  rather  weak.  Occurs  us- 
ually in  swampy,  sometimes  other,  thickets. 

1*.  CAIRN'S  WARBLER,  C.  c.  CAIRNSI.  Differs  from 
1  in  being  darker  above  where  it  is  more  or  less  clouded  with 
black.  Higher  mountains  of  Penn.  and  N.  C, 


DIRECTORY   TO    BIRDS    OF    EASTERN   NORTH   AMERICA.     237 

d.    Wood  Warblers.    Dentlroica. 

Wings  and  tail  longer  than  c ;  under  tail  coverts  reach- 
ing middle  of  tail,  upper  shorter;  wing  bands  (two)  and  tail 
spots  present ;  sexes,  quite  similar,  both  with  conspicuous 
yellow  patches.  Origin  of  group,  Mexico. 

1.  YELLOW-RUMPED    WARBLER,      D.    CORONATA. 
5.50;  slaty-blue  above;  white  beneath,  streaked  on  back,  and 
broadly  on  breast  and  sides  Fig.  312. 

with  b  1  ack  ;  yellow  patch- 
es on  rump,  sides  and  crown, 
fig.  312.  Female  and  winter 
male  brownish  above  and 
duller.  Breeds  from  the 
mountains  of  western  Mass, 
and  in  about  the  same  lat- 
itude west  to  the  Rockies 
north  to  Labrador  and  west- 
ern Alaska ;  winters  from 
the  southern  coast  of  Me.  CC,  H,  df  1.  1-4. 

and  southern  111.  south  to  the  Bahamas,  West  Indies,  and 
Central  America;  north  in  April;  south  in  Sep. and  Oct.  Very 
abundant ;  found  everywhere.  Song,  a  low  warble  of  four  or 
five  notes. 

2.  AUDUBON'S   WARBLER,    D.    AUDUBONI.      Differs 
from  1  in  having  the  throat  yellow  and  less  black  on  side  of 
head.     Western  N.  A. :  accidental  in  Mass,  and  Penn. 

e.  Honey  Warblers.  Perissoglossa. 
Bill,  very  sharp,  slender,  and  slightly  curved  at  tip ;  wings, 
long,  pointed,  folding  beyond  middle  of  tail ;  upper  tail  cov- 
erts, reaching  middle  of  tail ;  under  tail  coverts  reaching  be- 
yond middle ;  white  spots  on  tail ;  wing  bands,  enlarged  to  a 
patch  ;  yellow  beneath  and  on  rump.  Ancestral  origin,  West 
Indies. 


238 


WARBLERS. 


1.     CAPE  MAY  WARBLER,  P.  TIGRINA.    5.00;  cheeks, 
chestnut ;  top  of  head,  black;  back,  greenish,  spotted  with 
Fig.  313.  black  ;  streaks  on  breast  and 

sides,  black,  fig.  313.  Fe- 
male, tinged  with  grayish 
above  and  below,  duller; 
streakings  indistinct.  Breeds 
from  northern  N.  E.,  north- 
ern Mich,  north  to  Hudson 
Bay:  winters  in  Key  West, 
Bahamas,  and  the  West  In- 
dies ;  north  in  May  ;  south  in 
Sep.  Frequents  woodlands 
and  orchards.  Song,  a  low, 
lively,  rather  pleasing  war- 
CC,  H,  e,  1.  1-3.  ble. 

f.  Spotted  Warblers.  Maculocaiitor. 
Wings  and  tail  shorter  than  in  d,  the  former  rounded; 
upper  tail  coverts,  short,  and  about  equal  in  length  ;  wholly 
yellow  below,  large  white  wing  patch  and  band  of  spots  cross- 
ing inner  webs  of  tail  in  middle.  Type,  Motacilla  maculosa 
Gmelin.  Origin  of  group,  Central  America. 

1.  BLACK  AND  YELLOW  WARBLER,  M.  MACULOSA. 
5.00;  band  of  black  spots  crossing  breast  having  pendants  ex- 
tending along  sides;  top  of  head,  slaty-blue;  back,  black; 
rump,  yellow,  fig.  314.  Female  and  young,  considerably 
duller.  Breeds  from  the  elevated  regions  of  western  Mass, 
west  to  Mich.,  north  to  Hudson  Bay;  winters  in  Mexico  and 
Central  America ;  north  in  May ;  south  in  Sep.  Common,  but 
less  so  most  seasons  in  eastern  Mass.  Song,  a.short,  pleasing, 
rather  broken,  warble.  Frequents  woodlands  and  thickets. 

g.    Azure    Warblers.    Azuria. 
Small  warblers  with  rather  short  bills,  long  wings  fold- 
ing beyond  the  middle  of  the  short  tail  which  has  white  spots 
on  the  inner  webs  of  all  the  feathers ;  two  wing  bands ;  blue 


PLATE  20. 


LAWRENCE'S  WARBLER. 


DIKECTOKY    TO    BIRDS    OF    EASTERN   NORTH    AMERICA.     239 

and  white  ;  no  yellow.  Ancestral  origin,  north-western  S.  A. 
Type,  Sylvia  rara  Wilson  (see  Atlas  explanation  of  plate 
XXXII). 

Fig.  314.  Fig.  315. 


V 

CC,  H,  f,  1.     1-3.  CC,  H,  g,  1.     1-3. 

1.  CERULEAN  WARBLER,  A.  KARA.  4.50;  bright 
blue  above;  white  beneath  with  a  more  or  less  distinct  bluish 
band  across  breast ;  dusky  lines  on  sides  and  on  head,  fig.  315. 
Female,  greenish-blue  above,  greenish-yellow  beneath. 
Breeds  from  the  Ohio  Eiver  Valley  north  to  southern  Mich. ; 
east  to  western  N.  Y.  rarely  east  of  the  Alleghanies  ;  casually 
to  southern  N.  E. ;  winters  from  Panama  south  to  Peru.  Goes 
south  in  August;  north  in  April.  Song,  a  guttural  trill.  Oc- 
curs in  low  woodlands. 

h.    Busli  Warblers.    Sylviocantor. 

Wings,  rather  short  and  rounded,  not  reaching  middle  of 
rather  short  tail ;  upper  and  under  tail  coverts  of  medium 
length,  reaching  middle  of  tail ;  two  broad  greenish-white 
wing  bands ;  tail  spots  on  three  outer  feathers,  white ;  green- 
ish above;  white  below;  yellow  on  crown.  Sexes,  similar. 
Ancestral  home,  Central  America.  Type,  Motacillapennsyl- 
vanica  Linnaeus. 


24O  WARBLERS. 

1.     CHESTNUT-SIDED  WARBLER,  S.  PENNSYLVANIA. 
5.00 ;  white  beneath,  broadly  streaked  with  chestnut  on  sides ;  " 
crown,  yellow ;  greenish  above,  patch  on  side  of  head  and 
Fig.  316.  streaks  on  back,   black, 

fig.  316.  Female,  some- 
what duller ;  young  with- 
out chestnut  on  sides. 
Breeds  commonly 
throughout  N.  E.,  N.  Y., 
and  Penn.,  north  to  On- 
tario, less  commonly  west 
to  Ind.  and  III;  winters 
from  Guatemala  to  Pana- 

CC,  H,  h,  1.     1-3.  ma;  north  in  May;  south 

in  Aug.  and  Sep.  Frequents  brushy  fields,  especially  if  moist. 
Usual  song,  "Sweet  siveet  sweet  —  toweecher"1"1  with  a  pause 
before  the  two  terminal  syllables  which  are  given  with  a  de- 
cidedly rising  inflection ;  another,  not  unusual  song,  is  a 
rather  disconnected  lay  not  unlike  that  of  the  Canadian 
Warbler;  another,  not  as  usual,  is  a  song  similar  to  that  of 
the  Nashville  Warbler. 

i.  Streaked  Warblers.  Lineocantor. 
Large  warblers  with  stout  bills,  long  wings,  folding  be- 
yond middle  of  moderately  long  tail  which  has  both  its  co- 
verts long,  reaching  considerably  beyond  its  tip;  streaked 
above  and  sometimes  below  with  dusky ;  no  yellow  markings^ 
Sexes,  unlike;  wing  bands  and  tail  spots  present  in  both. 
Ancestral  origin,  northern  S.  A. 

1.  BLACK-POLLED  WARBLER,  L.  STRIATA.  5.50; 
black  and  white  in  stripes;  top  of  head,  solid  black;  back, 
grayish,  fig.  317.  Female,  autumnal  male,  and  young, 
greenish  above,  greenish-white  beneath,  streaked  above  and 
on  breast  and  sides  with  dusky;  wing  bars  often  greenish. 
Breeds  from  extreme  northern  N.  E.  and  northern  Mich,  to 
Hudson  Bay ;  winters  in  northern  S.  A. ;  north  in  May ;  south 
in  Sep.  and  Oct.  Abundant,  occurring  in  orchards  and  low 


DIRECTORY   TO   BIRDS    OF   EASTERN   NORTH   AMERICA.    24:1 


growths  in  woodlands.     Song,  a  weak  "ZY^"  given  four  or 
five  times,  occasionally  heard  in  autumn. 

2.     BAY-BREASTED  WARBLER,   L.  CASTANEA.     5.50; 
grayish   above,   streaked   with  Fig.  317. 

dusky;  sides  of  head  and  fore- 
head, dusky;  crown,  throat, 
breast  and  sides,  reddish-brown 
or  bay,  fig.  318.  Female,  autum- 
nal male  and  young,  quite  similar 
to  1  but  differ  in  always  being 
buffy  below  and  in  often  showing 
traces  of  bay.  Breeds  from  north- 
ern N.  E.  and  Mich,  to  Hudson 
Bay ;  winters  in  northern  S.  A. ; 
north  in  May  ;  south  in  Sep.  Com- 
mon over  most  of  its  breeding  and 
migration  range  but  rather  uncom- 
mon in  eastern  N.  E. ;  occurs  in 
evergreen  woodlands.  Song,  begins  with  a  series  of  lisping 
notes  and  ends  with  a  short  warble. 

j.    Spruce  Warblers.    Piceacantor. 


CC,  H,  i,  1.     1-3. 


Fig.  318. 


Small ;  wings  of  medium 
length,  folding  to  middle  of 
tail,  pointed ;  upper  tail  co- 
verts, shorter  than  middle 
of  tail;  under,  longer;  wing 
bands  forming  one  patch ; 
tail  spots,  large ;  much  black 
above;  throat  and  breast, 
orange.  Type,  Motacilla 
blackburniae  Gmelin.  An- 
cestral origin,  north-western 
S.  A. 


CC,  H,  i,  2.     1-3. 


242 


WAKBLEKS. 


CC,   H,  j,    1.       1-3. 


1.     BLACKBURNIAN  WARBLER,    P.  BLACKBURNIAE. 
4.80;  throat,  upper  breast,  spot  on  top  of  head  and  behind 
Fig.  319.  ear  coverts,  and  line  over  eye,  bright 

orange ;  upper  parts,  streaked  with 
whitish  ;  lower  parts  behind,  yellow, 
fig.  319.  Female,  similar  but  brown- 
ish above  with  the  orange  markings 
duller.  Breeds  from  the  southern 
Alleghanies  and  Mich,  north  through 
the  mountains  of  western  Mass,  to 
Labrador;  not  very  common  on  the 
eastern  coast  of  II.  S. ;  winters  in 
north-western  S.  A.  ;  south  in  Sep.  : 
north  in  May.  Frequents  evergreen 
and  sometimes  other  woodlands. 
Song,  a  series  of  about  six  double 
lisping  notes  which  become  some- 
what squeaky  as  they  advance,  and  terminate  in  an  ascend- 
ing scale. 

k.  Green  Warblers.  Vireocaiitor. 
Small;  bills,  rather  slender;  wings,  slightly  rounded,  not 
reaching  beyond  middle  of  tail,  both  coverts  of  which  do  not 
reach  beyond  its  middle ;  two  wring  bars ;  tail  spots,  large ; 
bright  green  above.  Type,  Motacilla  virens  Gmelin.  Ances- 
tral origin,  Central  America. 

1.  BLACK-THROATED  GREEN  WARBLER,  Y.  VIRENS. 
5.00;  cheeks  and  forehead,  yellow;  throat,  and  streaks  on 
sides,  black,  fig.  320.  Female,  throat  more  or  less  yellow, 
thus  encroaching  on  the  black  patch.  Young,  with  less  black 
on  breast.  Breeds  in  eastern  K.  A.  from  Conn,  and  southern 
111.  north  to  Hudson  Bay  and  south  along  the  Alleghanies 
to  S.  C. ;  winters  in  Central  America ;  south  in  Sep. ;  north  in 
May.  Abundant  in  white  pine  woodlands  and  less  so  among 
pitch  pines.  Song,  of  five  or  six  notes,  "Good  Saint  The-re- 
sa"  given  with  a  rising  inflection  and  with  a  decided  accent 
on  the  last  syllable  ;  another  song,  usually  given  in  late  sum- 


Differs 


Fig.  320. 


CC,  H,  k,  1.  "1-3. 


DIRECTORY   TO   BIRDS    OF    EASTERN    NORTH   AMERICA. 

mer  is,  'Trees,  trees,  mur-mur-ing  trees"  ;  there  are  also  other 
variations  but  all  are  given  with  a  peculiar  intonation  that 
always  characterizes  the  species. 

2.  TOWNSEND'S  WARBLER,  Y.  TOWNSENDI. 
irom  1  in  having  the  top  of  head 
and  cheeks  blacfc,  and  in  being  dis- 
tinctly yellow  below  the  black 
breast  patch.  Breeds  in  western 
N.  A.  from  the  mountains  of  south- 
ern Cal.  to  Alaska ;  winters  in  Cen- 
tral America;  south  in  Sep. ;  north 
in  May.  Accidental  in  Perm. 

1.    Field  Warblers. 
Ag-reocaiitor. 

Large ;  wings  short  and  rather 
rounded,  not  reaching  middle  of 
tail ;  two  wing  bands  ;  tail  spots  not 
large;  slaty  above;  yellow  beneath  with  black  markings. 
Type,  Sylvicola  kirtlandii  Baird.  Ancestral  origin,  West  In- 
dies. 

1.      KIRTLAND'S    WARBLER,  A      KIRTLANDI.     5.50; 
Fig.  321.  slaty  above   with  feathers  of 

back  tinged  with  rufous ;  yel- 
low beneath;  patch  on  side  of 
head,  spots  on  breast  and  on 
top  of  head,  black,  fig.  321. 
Female,  duller.  Breeds  in 
Mich. ;  nest,  placed  on  ground  ; 
winters  in  the  Bahamas  and 
probably  some  of  the  West  In- 
dies ;  north  in  May;  south  in 
Sep.  Frequents  low  bushes  in 
fields,  often  on  the  ground; 
moves  tail  up  and  down ;  gives 
a  sharp  note  of  alarm  ;  song  as 
CC,  H,  1,  1.  1-3.  heard  by  Mr.  Norman  A.  Wood, 


244  WARBLEBS. 

who  discovered  the  breeding  grounds,  " Ch-ch-che-che-a"  or 
"O/ia,  cha-che-chee  wicha-a-a"  with  the  terminal  "a"  pro- 
longed in  both.  Rare. 

m.    Pine  Warblers.    Pinacantor. 

Large;  bills,  stout;  wings,  more  or  less  rounded,  reach- 
ing middle  of  tail  or  shorter ;  upper  and  lower  tail  coverts^ 
barely  reaching  middle  of  tail;  wing  bands,  two,  distinct; 
tail  spots,  large;  greenish-yellow,  darker  above,  lighter  be- 
low; no  prominent  black  markings.  Type,  Sylvia  vigorsii 
Audubon.  Ancestral  origin,  West  Indies. 

1.     PINE  WARBLER,  P.  VIGORSII.     5.50;  greenish-yel- 
Fig.  322.  low  above,  yellowish-green 

beneath  to  the  lower  part  of 
breast,  obscurely  streaked  on 
breast  with  dusky;  remain- 
ing lower  parts  dull  white, 
ng.  322.  Female,  grayish-olive 
above;  grayish-white  beneath 
slightly  tinged  with  yellow. 
Breeds  in  eastern  U.  S.  from 
northern  Fla.  north  to  New 
Brunswick ;  winters  from  N. 
C.  occasionally  asfar  north  as 
Mass.,  to  Fla. ;  north  in  April ; 

CC,  H,  m,  1.     1-3.  south  in   Sep.   and   Oct. 

Abundant  in  pitch  pine  woods,  less  common  elsewhere. 
Song,  a  musical  trill  of  about  six  notes  sometimes  followed  by 
a  short  warble,  occasionally  the  warble  is  given  without  the 
trill ;  song  also  heard  in  Sep.  Double  brooded,  nesting  in 
May  and  July. 

1*.  FLORIDA  PINE  WARBLER,  P.  v.  FLORIDA.  Bill, 
larger  than  in  1  and  also  differs  in  being  decidedly  golden 
yellow  above  and  below,  the  yellow  of  the  lower  surface  ex- 
tending backward  along  the  flanks,  thus  leaving  the  abdomen 
and  under  tail  coverts  white.  Female  but  little  duller, 


DIRECTORY   TO   BIRDS    OF    EASTERN   NORTH   AMERICA.     24:5 

about  as  bright  as  the  male  of  1  and  with  the  distribution  of 
the  yellow  below  restricted  as  in  that  form.  Types,  taken  in 
middle  Fla.  (Enterprise  and  Deep  Creek,  near  Lake  Asbby) 
in  March,  1901,  now  in  my  collection. 

n.  Ground  Warblers.  Terracantor. 
Size,  medium;  bill,  small;  wings,  medium,  rounded, 
folding  to  middle  of  tail,  both  coverts  of  which  reach  about 
to  its  middle ;  no  wing  bands  ;  tail  spots,  short,  square  *,  top  of 
head,  chestnut;  yellow  beneath  ;  ground  nesting.  Sexes,  sim- 
ilar. Ancestral  origin,  West  Indies.  Type,  Motacilla  pal- 
marum  Gmelin. 

1.  BED-POLLED    WARBLER,    T.    PALMARUM.      5.25; 
brownish-olive  above ;  rump,  yellow ;  remaining  lower  por- 
tions,   white;     crown,  Fig.  323. 

streaks  on  breast  and 
sides,  chestnut,  fig.  323. 
Young,  with  little  or  no 
chestnut  on  crown  and 
streaked  with  dusky  be- 
neath on  a  dull  white 
ground ;  under  tail  cov- 
erts, always  yellow. 
Breeds  in  the  interior  of 
British  America  west  of  CC,  H,  n,  1.  1-3. 

Hudson  Bay;  winters  from  N.  C.  southward  through  Fla., 
Bahamas,  and  many  of  the  West  Indies ;  uncommon  during 
the  fall  migration  north  of  IS".  C.  east  of  the  Alleghanies  and 
in  N.  E.  Frequents  open  places,  feeding  much  on  the  ground, 
often  in  the  vicinity  of  dwellings.  Alarm,  a  sharp  chirp ; 
song,  a  feeble  trill.  In  common  with  2  has  the  habit  of  rais- 
ing and  lowering  tail. 

2.  YELLOW  REDPOLL,  T.  HYPOCHRYSEA.  Larger  than 
1  and  always  wholly  yellow  beneath.     Breeds  from  northern 
N.  E.  north  to  the  eastern   shores   of   Hudson   Bay ;    winters 
from  N.  C.  to  southern  Fla. ;  south  in  Sep. ;  north  in  April. 
Common ;  rare  west  of  the  Alleghanies. 


240 


WABBLEB8. 


o.    Fruticantor.    Scrub  Warblers. 

Bill,  small;  wings,  short,  much  rounded,  not  reaching 
middle  of  tail,  the  upper  coverts  of  which  are  very  short; 
lower  barely  reaching  its  middle;  one  or  two  yellow  wing 
bands ;  tail  spots,  large.  Type,  Sylvia  discolor  Vieillot. 

1.      PRAIRIE  WARBLER,    F.  DISCOLOR.     5.00;  golden- 
yellow   above ;    yellow   beneath   and   on   line  over  eye ;  line 
through  eye,  spots  from  base  of  bill  along  sides,  black ;  spots 
Fig.  324.  on  middle  back,  chestnut ;  two  wing 

bars,  fig.  324.  Female,  somewhat 
duller.  Breeds  from  northern  Fla. 
north  to  Mass.,  where  it  is  common 
locally,  also  occurs  less  commonly 
west  to  111.,  Ind.,  and  southern  Mich. ; 
winters  in  the  Bahamas  and  West  In- 
dies; south  in  Aug.  and  Sep. ;  north 
in  May.  Frequents  scrub  1  a  n  d  s  . 
Song,  a  rather  harsh  trill  of  about  six 
notes  given  in  an  ascending  scale. 

p.    Golden  Warblers. 
Chrysocantor. 

Bill,  rather  large;  wings,  quite 
long,  rounded;  tail,  short,  its  under 
coverts  long,  two  thirds  its  length;  upper  coverts,  but  little 
shorter;  no  wing  bars  nor  tail  spots,  but  feathers  of  tail  and 
wings  margined  with  yellow.  Type,  Moiacilla  aestiva  Gmelin. 
Ancestral  origin,  northern  S.  A. 

1.  YELLOW  WARBLER,  C.  AESTIVA.  &.00;  golden- 
yellow  above ;  clear  yellow  beneath,  streaked  on  breast  and 
sides  with  reddish,  fig.  325.  Female,  duller  and  with  few 
streaks  beneath ;  young  with  no  streaks.  Breeds  throughout 
eastern  N.  A.  from  northern  Ga.  north  to  the  Barren  Grounds 
and  far  west;  winters  in  northern  S.  A. ;  south  in  Aug.  and 
Sep. ;  north  in  April  and  May.  Frequents  open  sections  in 


CC,  H,  o,  1.     1-3. 


DIRECTORY   TO    BIRDS    OF    EASTERN   NORTH   AMERICA.     247 

the  vicinity  of  thickets  where  it  is  common.  Song,  a  lively 
lay  of  about  seven  notes  something  like  "  Sweet  sweet  sweet  to 
sweetee"  sometimes  another  "Sweet"  being  added. 

q.    Little  Warblers.    Compsothlypis. 

Small  warblers  with  short,  acute  bills,  white  wing  patch 
and  tail  spots  bluish  above,   more   or   less   yellow   beneath, 
with  yellowish  patch   in   middle   of   back.          Fig.  325. 
Ancestral  origin,  northern  S.  A. 

1.  BLUE  YELLOW-BACKED  WAR- 
BLER, C.  AMERICANA.  4.75;  bluish  above 
and  on  sides  of  head ;  throat  and  breast, 
yellow  with  a  band  of  dusky  and  chestnut 
on  breast.  Female,  duller.  Breeds  from 
Ta.  southward  to  the  Gulf  States;  winters 
in  Fla. ;  south  in  Aug.  and  Sep. ;  north  in 
April  and  May.  Frequents  woodlands  and 
builds  its  nest  in  the  "Spanish  moss"  which 
drapes  the  trees  in  the  south. 

1*.  NORTHERN  BLUE  YELLOW- 
BACK^ C.  A.  TJSNEAE.  Differs  from  1  in 
being  a  little  larger,  and  darker  with  more 
chestnut  below,  especially  on  sides,  plate  CC,  H,  p,  1.1-3. 
15.  Breeds  from  Ya.  north  to  Canada  but  confined  to  those 
sections  in  which  the  long,  pendulous  lichens  of  the  genus 
Usnea  grow,  for  in  these  it  builds  its  nest.  Occurs  every- 
where during  migration;  very  active.  Song,  a  vehemently 
uttered  "Swee  swee  swee  swee  sivee-zer"  the  last  two  syllables 
being  quickly  given,  the  last  ascending;  these  are  sometimes 
omitted. 

1**.  WESTERN  BLUE  YELLOW-BACK,  C.  A.  RAMA- 
I.INAE.  Colored  as  in  1*  but  smaller  than  1.  Breeds  from 
Mich,  and  Minn,  south  to  the  Gulf.  Both  1*  and  1**  winter 
in  the  Bahamas  and  West  Indies. 


24:8  WARBLEKS. 

r.     Sharp-billed  Warblers.    Helminthophila. 

Small  warblers  with  rather  long,  very  acute  bills,  wings 
folding  about  middle  of  tail  or  shorter;  with  or  without  tail 
spots. 

A.    Wing  Bands  and  Tail  Spots  present. 

1.  GOLDEN-WINGED  WARBLER,    H.  CHKYSOPTEKA. 
5.00;  bluish-ash  above,  ashy-white  on  line  over  eye  and  be- 
low ;  broad  patch  on  side   of   head,   and   on   throat,   black ; 
patch  on  wing,  sometimes  two  bands,  and  top  of  head  yellow. 
Female  duller  with  black  markings  replaced  by  dusky,  plate 
18.     Breeds  from  Mass,  west  to  Mich.,  south  to  Conn.  andN. 
J.  and  along  the  Alleghanies  to  Ga.     Frequents  low  growths 
and  is  of  somewhat  local  distribution.     Song,  a  rather  drawl- 
ing  "Zee"  repeated  from  four  to  six  times  and  a  guttural 
warble  seldom  heard;  alarm,  sharp. 

2.  BREWSTER'S    WARBLER,    H.  LEUCOBRONCHIALIS. 
Differs  from  1  in  being  without  the  black  throat  patch  and 
in  having  a  very  narrow  line  through  eye,  with  the  lower 
parts  often  tinged  with  yellow.      Female,    with  the  throat 
white  or  dusky,  but  always  with  a  narrow  black  line  through 
eye,  plate  19.     Breeds  in  Mass,  (rarely),  Conn.,  N.  Y.,  Penn., 
N.  J.,  Md.,  and  Ya.     Winter  range  unknown,  but  has  been 
taken  in  La.   Song,  averaging  shorter  and  more  quickly  given. 

3.  LAWRENCE'S  WARBLER,  H.  LAWRENC  EI.  Differs 
from  1  in  having  the  sides  of  head  and  lower  parts  yellow  but 
the  line  through  eye  is  narrow  as  in  2;  wing  bands,  usually 
white,    but  sometimes  tinged  with  yellow,  plate  20;  back, 
greenish  as  in  4. 

4.  BLUE- WINGED  WARBLER,  H.  PINUS.  5.00;  green- 
ish above,  yellow  below  and  on  top  of  head;  narrow  black 
line  through  eye;  wings,  bluish,  wing  bands  white  or  some- 
times tinged  with  yellow,  plate  21.     Female,  duller.     Breeds 
from  Conn,  west  to  Mich.,  but  is  local  in  distribution  ;  winters 
in  Mexico  and  Central  America ;  north  in  May ;  south  in  Aug. 
and  Sep. ;  casual  in  Mass.     Song,  a  wiry,  lisping  trill. 


DIRECTORY   TO   BIRDS    OF    EASTERN   NORTH   AMERICA.    24:1) 

B.     "Wing  Bands  and  prominent  Tail  Spots  absent. 

5.  BACHMAN'S    WARBLER,    H.    BACHMANI  .    4.25; 
olive-green  above,  yellow  beneath  and  on  forehead ;  patch  on 
crown  and  on  throat  and  breast,  black ;  a  little  white  on  out- 
er  tail   feathers.     Female,  much  duller,  plain  gray  below, 
slightly  yellow  on  crown.     Breeds  in  N.  C.,  S.  C.,  and  Mo., 
casually  in  Ya.  and  Ark. ;  winters  in  Cuba;  north  in  March ; 
south  in  Aug.     Rare. 

6.  ORANGE-CROWNED  WARBLER,  H.  CELATA.  5.00; 
grayish-olive  above ;  grayish-yellow  beneath  ;  concealed  spot 
of  dull  orange  on  top  of  head,  fig.  326.     Female,  a  little  dul- 
ler. Young,  without  much  orange  on  crown.  Occurs  in  wood- 
lands.    Song,  a  low,  sweet  trill.  Breeds 

from  Manitoba  north  to  Alaska,  occas- 
ionally further  south  ;  winters  sparingly 
from  S.  C.  to  Key  West,  more  commonly 
in  Mexico ;  south  in  Sep.  and  Oct. ;  north 
in  April  and  May.  Casual  in  N.  E. 

7.  NASHVILLE    WARBLER,    H. 
RUBRICAPILLA.      4.80;  greenish  above; 
yellow  below;  head,  bluish  with  a  part- 
ly concealed  patch  of  chestnut;  a  whit- 
ish eye  ring.     Female,  duller.     Young,        CC, 

very  dull,  no  chestnut  on  crown.  Breeds  from  Conn,  and 
Mass,  north  to  Canada  and  west  to  111. ;  winters  in  Mexico; 
south  in  Aug.  and  Sep. ;  north  in  May.  Common.  Frequents 
the  margins  of  woodlands.  Song,  four  or  five  harsh,  quite 
rapidly  given  notes  ("Swe"),  followed  by  four  in  quite  a  dif- 
ferent tone  (a  kind  of  a  trill  "_De"),  and  ending  abruptly,  as 
if  unfinished.  The  song  is  uttered  as  the  bird  perches  high 
in  a  tree. 

8.  TENNESSEE  WARBLER,  H.  PEREGRINA.  6.00;  back, 
greenish;  head,  bluish;  beneath,  dull  white;  slight  whitish 
line  over  eye,  fig.  327.     Female,  somewhat  duller,  sometimes 
tinged    with    greenish  beneath.     Breeds  in  northern  N.  E. 


25O  WARBLERS. 

north  to  Labrador;  rare  during  migration  east  of  the  Alle- 
ghanies  and  Hudson  River  Valley ;  winters  in  Central  Amer- 
Fig.  327.  ica ;  south  in  Aug.  and  Sep. ;  north 

in  May.  Song,  a  little  like  7,  but 
the  first  part  is  more  divided  and 
the  last  part  shriller. 

s.    Orang-e  Warblers. 
Protonotaria. 

Large;   bill,   large,  long,  and 
acute ;  wings,  long;  color,  quite 
uniform.     Nest  in  holes  of  trees. 
Ancestral  origin,  north-western  S. 
CC,  H,  r,  8.  A. 

1.  PROTHONOTARY  WARBLER,  P.  CITREA.  5.40; 
greater  part  of  head  and  beneath,  rich  yellow ;  back,  orange- 
green  ;  rump  and  wings,  bluish ;  all  but  terminal  portion  of 
inner  webs  of  all  but  two  central  tail  feathers,  white,  plate 
22,  A  1.  Female,  duller.  Breeds  in  river  bottoms  from  Fla. 
to  Ya.  west  to  the  Mississippi  Valley ;  winters  in  northern 
S.  A. ;  north  in  April ;  south  in  Aug.  and  Sep. ;  casual  as  far 
north  as  N.  E.  and  New  Brunswick.  Song,  loud  and  not  un- 
like the  "Peet  tweet"  of  the  spotted  sandpiper;  also  gives  a 
flight  song  which  is  a  low,  sweet  warble. 

t.    Buffy  Warblers.    Helmitheros. 
Plain-colored  warblers  with  stout  bills  and  striped  heads. 
Ground  nesting.     Sexes,  similar.     Ancestral  origin,  northern 
S.  A. 

1.  WORM-EATING  WARBLER,  H.  VERMIVORUS.  5.35; 
greenish  above;  head,  and  beneath,  buffy;  stripe  on  side  of 
crown  and  behind  eye,  dull  black,  plate  22,  B.  Breeds  from 
S.  C.  to  southern  N.  Y.,  west  to  111.  and  Ind. ;  casual  further 
north  (Mass.,  N.  Y.,  Mich.,  etc.);  winters  in  Fla.,  Bahamas, 
West  Indies,  and  Mexico;  north  in  April;  south  in  Aug. 
Frequents  low  woodlands,  nesting  on  the  ground.  Song,  a 
feeble  trill. 


DIRECTORY   TO   BIRDS    OF   EASTERN   NORTH   AMERICA.     251 

u.    Plain  Warblers.    Helinaia. 

Bill,  longer  than  in  t;  colors,  plain  with  no  prominent 
spots  or  streaks ;  nests  attached  to  grass  stalks,  etc. 

1.  SWAINSON'S  WARBLER,  H.  SWAINSONII.  5.50; 
olive  above ;  yellowish-white  beneath  ;  top  of  head  brownish  ; 
line  over  eye,  buff.  Frequents  swampy  sections.  Breeds 
from  Ya.  west  to  Ind. ;  south  to  north-western  Fla.  and  La. ; 
winters  in  Jamaica;  south  in  Sep. ;  north  in  April. 
v.  Thicket  Warblers.  Frutiornis. 

Bill,  rather  stout;  wings,  folding  to  middle  of  tail  which 
is  slightly  rounded;  under  parts,  wholly  yellow;  head,  con- 
spicuously marked  with  black  (see  explanation  of  plate 
XXXI  in  Atlas). 

1.  KENTUCKY  WARBLER,  F.  FORMOSA.  5.50;  green- 
ish above ;  yellow  beneath  ;  portion  of  top  of  head  and  patch 
on  its  side,  black,  fig.  328.  Fe-  Fig.  328. 

male,  usually  a  little  duller. 
Breeds  in  the  Mississippi  Val- 
ley north  to  the  Ohio  and  east 
to  western  N.  C. ;  casual  further 
north  and  east;  winters  in 
Central  America ;  south  in  Aug. 
and  Sep.  ;  north  in  April.  Fre- 
quents heavy  woodlands. 
Song,  loud  and  clear,  not  un- 
like that  of  the  Maryland  Yel- 
low-throat. 

w.  Long-winged  Warblers. 
Oporornis. 

Large,  stout  warblers  with  long  wings  and  large  feet; 
colors,  plain. 

1.  CONNECTICUT  WARBLER,  O.  AGILIS.  5.50;  dark 
olive. green  above;  yellow  below;  head,  throat,  and  breast, 
ashy-gray,  more  or  less  mixed  with  black;  eye  ring,  white, 
fig.  329.  Female,  with  ashy  of  head  anl  breast  replaced  by 


CC,  H,  v,  1.     1-3. 


252  WARBLERS. 

brownish-gray.     Breeding  range,  as  far  as  known,  Minn,  and 
Fig.  329.  Manitoba,     possibly 

pouthern  Wis. ;  winter 
range,  unknown;  south 
in  Sep.  (Mass.)  and  Oct. 
(N.  J.  to  the  Bahamas). 
Frequents  swampy 
thickets;  has  habit  of 
jerking  tail.  Song,  as 
heard  in  Mass,  in  May, 
a  low,  sweet  warble; 
alarm,  a  very  sharp 
note. 

CC,  H,  w,  1.    1-3.  x.    Ashy  Warblers. 

Ciiierosa. 

Differ  from  u  in  having  the  wings  shorter  and  not  as 
pointed:  tail,  somewhat  rounded. 

1.  MOURNING  WARBLER,  C.  PHILADELPHIA.  5.00; 
differs  from  w,  1  in  the  absence  of  the  white  eye  ring  and  in 
having  more  black  on  breast,  fig.  330.  Breeds  from  northern 
N.  E.  west  to  Mich,  north  Fig.  330. 

to  Canada ;  winters  in  north- 
western S.  A. ;  north  in 
May ;  south  in  Aug.  and  • 
Sep.  Frequents  thickets  on 
the  margins  of  woodlands 
but  is  very  rare  along  the 
Atlantic  coast.  Song,  loud, 
clear  and  pleasing,  suggest- 
ing that  of  the  Water 
Thrush. 

y.    Yellow-throats. 
Geothlypis, 

Wings,  short  and  round-  CC,  H,  X,  !• 

ed,  barely  reaching  base  of  tail,  which  is  rounded;  throat, 
yellow  with  a  conspicuous  mask  of  black  on  face. 


PLATE  21. 


BLUE-WINGED  YELLOW  WARBLER. 


DIRECTORY   TO   BIRDS    OF   EASTERN   NORTH   AMERICA.     2253 

1.  MARYLAND  YELLOW-THROAT,  G.  TRICHAS.  5.00; 
grayish-green  above,  yellow  of  lower  parts  not  extending  be- 
yond middle ;  mask  not  extending  down  on  sides  of  neck  in- 
to a  point ;  margined  behind  with  whitish.  Female,  without 
mask  and  not  as  yellow  below.  Breeds  on  the  Atlantic  coast 
of  U.  S.  from  Md.  south  to  Ga. ;  casual  as  far  north  as  R.  I. 
For  song  and  habits,  see  1*. 

1*.     NORTHERN  YELLOW-THROAT,  G.  T.  BRACHIDAC- 
TYI.A.    Larger  than  1,  yellow  extending  over  nearly  the  whole 
of  lower  surface ;  mask  extending  into  a  point  on  sides  of 
neck  ;  darker  above,  fig.  331.     Breeds  from         Fig.  331. 
N.-  E.  west  to  Mich.,  north  to  Canada,  south 
to  range  of  1 ;  winters  from  the  Carolinas 
southward  to  the  West  Indies,  casually  as 
far  north  as  Mass. ;  south  in  Sep.  and  Oct. ; 
north  in  March  and  April.     Common,  fre- 
quents swampy  thickets.     Song,  loud  and 
ringing,  "  Witch-i-ty"  repeated  rather  slow- 
ly five  or  six  times ;  a  warbling  song,  given 
while   hovering,    and  a  continuous  ratch- 
like  sound,  emitted  occasionally,  probably 
by  both  sexes;  alarm,  harsh. 

1**.  SOUTHERN  YELLOW-THROAT, 
G.  T.  IGNOTA.  Differs  from  1*  in  having 
the  wing  rounder,  colors  darker,  deeper  yellow  below  with 
sides  quite  brownish.  Breeds  from  southern  Va.  south  to 
Fla.  and  along  the  Gulf  Coast  to  eastern  Texas ;  winters  from 
the  Carolinas  to  Key  West. 

z.    Flycatcliiiig"  Warblers.    Wilsoiiia. 

Bill,  flattened,  with  bristles  at  base ;  wings,  rather  short ; 
110  wing  bands. 

1.  HOODED  WARBLER,  W.  MITRATA.  5.25;  black 
hood  covering  head,  leaving  yellow  mask  on  face;  greenish 
above ;  yellow  below ;  tail  with  white  spots,  fig.  332.  Female, 
duller.  Breeds  in  eastern  N.  A.  from  southern  Conn,  to  Fla. ; 


254:  WAKBLERS. 

winters  in  Central  America ;  south  in  Sep. ;  north  in  April. 

Frequents  high  thickets  in  swampy  places,  notably  the  rho- 
dodendrons.    Song,  loud  and  clear,  not  unlike  that  of  the 

Louisana  Water  Thrush;  alarm,  sharp. 

Fig.  332.  2.    WILSON'S  WARBLER, 

W.  PUSILLUS.  5.00;  golden- 
green  above;  greenish-yellow 
beneath  ;  crown,  black,  fig.  333. 
Female,  with  less  black  on 
back  of  head.  Breeds  from  ex- 
treme northern  N.  E.  north  to 
Labrador;  winters  in  Central 
America;  south  in  Aug.  and 
Sep. ;  north  in  April  and  May. 
Yery  active,  frequenting  1  o  w 
growths,  especially  willows. 
Song,  a  trill;  sometimes  a  low 
CC,  H,  z,  1.  warble. 

3.     CANADIAN  WARBLER,    W.    CANADENSIS.      5.50; 

bluish  above ;  yellow  beneath  ;  Fig.  333. 

spots  on  crown,   space  behind 

eye  and  necklace  of  spots  on 

breast,  black,  fig.  334.    Female, 

duller.     Frequents   swampy 

thickets.  Song,  a  disconnected 

warble  of  from  three  to   six 

notes.     Breeds  from  the  eleva- 
ted regions  of  Mass,    south 

along  the  mountains  to  N.  C., 

west  to  central  Minn.,  north  to  CC,  H,  Z,  2.     1-3. 

Labrador ;  winters  in  north-western  S.  A. ;  south  in  Aug.  and 

Sep. ;  north  in  April  and  May. 

aa.    Painted  Warblers.    Setophag-a. 

Bill,  shorter,  flatter,  and  wider  at  base  than  in  z,  with 
more  bristles ;  habits,  decidedly  flycatcher-like. 


DIRECTORY   TO   BIRDS    OF    EASTERN   NORTH   AMERICA.     255 

1.  AMERICAN  REDSTART,  S.  RUTICILLA.  5.40 ;  black 
excepting  on  abdomen ;  six  red-  Fig.  334. 

dish-orange  patches  on  sides, 
wings  and  tail,  plate  21.  Female, 
and  young  male,  with  the  black 
replaced  by  grayish  and  the  spots 
by  yellow.  Breeds  from  N.  C.  and 
Ark.  north  to  Hudson  Bay,  west 
to  Utah;  winters  in  the  Bahamas 
and  West  Indies ;  casually  in  S.  C. ; 
south  in  Aug.,  Sep.,  and  Oct.; 
north  in  April.  Restless,  constant- 
ly moving  and  spreading  its  tail. 

Song,  a  sharp,  trill-like  warble  of          CC,  H,  z,     3.     1-3. 
from  four  to  six  notes,  given  rapidly  and  ending  abruptly. 

I.    ,CHATS.    Icteridae. 

Larger  than  in  H;  bill,  rather  thick,  arched;  wings, 
short,  rounded;  tail,  long,  rounded. 

a.    Olive  and  Yellow  Chats.    Icteria. 

Greenish  above ;  yellow  below.  Sexes,  similar.  Xests, 
in  bushes. 

1.  YELLOW-BREASTED  CHAT,  I.  VIRENS.  7.25  ;  spot 
in  front  of  eye,  white ;  line  in  this,  extending  from  bill  to 
eye,  black,  fig.  335.  Breeds  from  southern  N.  E.  (rarely 
from  Mass.)  west  to  southern  Mich,  and  Wis.  south  to  the 
Carolinas ;  winters  in  Central  America;  south  in  Aug.  and 
Sep. ;  north  in  April  and  May.  Frequents  thickets  and  low 
growths;  shy  and  retiring,  oftener  heard  than  seen.  Habits 
somewhat  wren-like;  drops  wings  and  raises  tail.  Notes, 
much  varied,  with  whistles,  chucklings,  trills,  and  oriole- 
like  scolds ;  flight  song  a  series  of  whistling  "Tutes"  given  as 
the  bird  drops  downward  in  jerks  with  wings  thrown  up- 
ward, tail  down,  and  legs  dangling. 


256  WOOD    WAGTAILS. 

J.    WOOD  WAGTAILS.    Seiuridae. 

Slender  birds  with  not  large  bills,  long  wings  and  square 
tails,  that  are  often  moved  up  and  down.     Nests,  on  ground. 

a.    Wagtail  Thrushes.    Seiurus. 
Colors,  nearly  uniform  above;    light  beneath,  streaked 
with  darker,     Sexes,  similar. 

Fig.  335.  Fig.  335. 


CC,  I,  a,  1.  CC,  J,  a,  1. 

1.  OVEN  BIKD,    S.  AUROCAPIKLUS.      6.00;  pale  olive- 
green  above;  crown,  dull  yellowish-orange,  margined  with 
black,  fig.  336;  white  beneath,  streakings  black.  Breeds  from 
Va.  west  to  Kan.,  north  to  Hudson  Bay  ;  winters  from  middle 
Fla.  south  through  the  Bahamas  to  the  West  Indies,  Mexico, 
and  Central  America ;  south  in  Aug.  and  Sep. ;  north  in  April 
and  May.     Frequents  open  woodlands.     Song,  " Techee"  five 
or  six  times  repeated  with  increasing  volume;  the  "vesper" 
hovering  song,  a  rapidly  given,  sweet  warble.     Walks  much 
on  ground,  and  on  the  large,  lower  Mmbs  of  trees.  Abundant. 

2.  WATEK  THRUSH,  S.  NOVEJBOKACENSIS.     5.90;  dark 
olive-brown    above;    line    over  eye  and  beneath,  decidedly 
greenish,  fig.  337.     Breeds  from  northern  N.  E.  west  to  north- 
ern 111.,  north  to  Hudson  Bay;  winters  in  Key  West,  Baha- 


DIRECTORY   TO    BIRDS    OF    EASTERN    NORTH    AMERICA.    !2 


mas,  West  Indies,  Central  America,  and  northern  S.  A. ; 
south  in  Aug.  and  Sep. ;  north  in  April  and  May.  Frequents 
swampy  locations  in  the  vicin-  Fig.  337. 

ity  of  water,  into  which  it 
wades  like  a  sandpiper.  Song, 
several  loud,  clear  notes,  fol- 
lowed by  a  lower,  sweet  war- 
ble; alarm  >  a  very  sharp  chirp. 
Common. 

2*.     GRENNELL    WATEK 
THRUSH,   S.  N.  NOTABILIS. 

Differs  from  2  in  being  larger,  CC,  J,  a,  2.     1-5. 

more  grayish  above  and  less  yellow  below,  sometimes  iiearlyr 
or  quite,  white.  Breeds  in  western  N.  A.  from  Minn,  north 
to  Alaska;  rare  in  migration  in  the  Atlantic  Coast  States  from 
N.  J.  southward;  winters  in  the  West  Indies  and  Central 
America ;  migration  as  in  2. 

3.     LOUISANA  WATER  THRUSH,  S.  MOTACILLA.  Dif- 
Fig.  338.  fers  from   2   in   being   a   little 

larger;   bill,  larger;    decidedly 
5  white  over  eye,  fig.  338;  white 
|  or  buffy  beneath  ;  always  buffy 
on  flanks  and  under  tail  coverts. 
Song,  a  more  uniform  melody 
than  2,  terminating  more  soft- 
ly.    Breeds  from  southern  N. 
E.  west  to  southern  Minn., 
south  to  the  Gulf  States;  win- 
ters in  Central  America,  Baha- 
mas, and  West  Indies;    south 
in  Sep.;  north  in  March    and 
CC,  J,  a,  3.  April. 

K.    WAGTAILS  AND  PIPITS.    Motacillidae. 

Rather  small,  ground-inhabiting  birds  with  long  wings, 
having  elongated  tertials,  long  tails,  and  slender  bills;  move 
tails  up  and  down.  Nest  on  ground;  eggs,  spotted. 


WAGTAILS    AND    PIPITS. 


a.    Wagtails.    Motacilla. 

Tail,  quite  long ;  colors,  black,  white,  and  gray,  some- 
times yellow  beneath. 

1.  WHITE  WAGTAIL,  M.  ALBA.  7.00;  forehead,  sides 
of  neck,  beneath,  and  outer  tail  feathers,  white ;  crown,  hind 
neck,  and  throat,  black;  back,  ashy.  Breeds  in  Europe;  ac- 
cidental in  Greenland. 

b.    Pipits.    Anthus. 

Tail,  not  as  long;  brown  above;  whitish  below,  streaked 
with  brown. 

1.  AMEBICAN  PIPIT,  A.  PENNSYLVANICUS.  6.50; 
grayish-olive  above,  indistinctly  streaked  with  darker;  be- 
neath, cinnamon-buff;  streaks  on  breast  and  sides,  broad  and 
numerous,  fig.  339  ;  outer  tail  feathers,  nearly  white.  Breeds 


Fig.   339. 


from  Newfoundland  and 
mountains  of  Colorado 
northward;  winters  from 
the  Carolinas  southward 
to  M  e  x  i  c  o  .  Common 
during  migration,  espec- 
ially near  the  coast  ; 
south  in  Sep.  and  Oct. ; 
north  in  May.  Frequents 
open  fields  and  marshes, 


Call,  a  low,  double  note.  Flight, 


CC,  K,  b,  1.     1-3. 
and  beaches.     Gregarious, 
undulating  and  erratic. 

2.  MEADOW  PIPIT,  A.  PKATENSIS.     Differs  from  1  in 
being  greenish  above  and  below  and  in  being  more  heavily 
streaked  above.     Europe ;  accidental  in  Greenland. 

3,  SPKAGUE'S  PIPIT,  A.  BPKAGU  KIT  Smaller  than  1 ; 
bill,  shorter;  paler  beneath  with  narrow  streakings,  very  few 
on  sides;  light  edgings  to  feathers  above  paler.     Breeds  on 
the  interior  plains  of  N.  A.  from  eastern  Montana  north  in- 
to  Manitoba;   winters   in   Tex.,   Mexico,  and  southern  La. ; 
rare  in  S.  C.     Flight  song,  a  clear,  harmonious  melody,  given 
as  the  bird  hovers  high  in  air. 


DIRECTOUY   TO    BIRDS    OF    EASTERN   NORTH   AMERICA. 

L.    SWALLOWS.    Hirundinidae. 

Singing  perchers  modified  for  taking  their  food  on  the 
wing ;  bill,  small,  but  with  a  very  wide  gape ;  wings,  long  and 
pointed ;  feet,  small.  Eggs,  white,  with  or  without  spots. 

a.    Martins.    Progne. 

Large,  nearly  uniformly  colored  swallows ;  bill  and  feet, 
fig.  340,  large;  tail,  somewhat  forked. 
Fig.  340.  Fig.  341. 


CC,  L,,  a,  1. 

1.  PURPLE  MARTIN,  A.  SUBIS.     8.25 ;  uniform  steel- 
blue  with  violet  iridescence,  fig.  341.     Female,  duller  above ; 
grayish-white  beneath.    Breeds  throughout  temperate  N.  A. ; 
winters  in  Mexico  and  northern  S.  A. ;  south  in  Sep. ;  north 
in  April.     Nests  in  holes  of  trees  and  bird  boxes ;  eggs,  un- 
spotted. Flight,  strong  but  rather  heavy.  Notes,  loud,  clear, 
and  melodious. 

1*.  FLOEIDA  MARTIN,  P.  s.  FI.ORIDANA.  Differs 
from  1  in  being  smaller;  male,  darker;  female,  much  more 
grayish  beneath,  with  the  white  more  dull.  Breeds  in  mid- 
dle and  southern  Fla. ;  north  in  March. 

2.  CUBAN  MARTIN,  P.  CRYPTOLEUCA.     Differs  from  1 
in  the  more  deeply  forked  tail ;  male  with  a  broad,  but  con- 


26O  SWALLOWS. 

cealed,  band  of  white  crossing  lower  abdomen ;  female,  sim- 
ilar to  1*  but  with  abdomen  pure  white.  Cuba,  resident ;  ac- 
cidental in  southern  Fla. 

b.    Cliff  Swallows.    Petroclielidon. 
Smaller;  colors  not  uniform;  tail,  not  forked,  fig.  342. 
Sexes,  similar. 

Fig.  342.  Fig.  343. 


CC,  L,  b,  1. 

1.  CLIFF  SWALLOW,  P.  LUNIPRONS.     5.75;  above  and 
spot  on  throat,  dark  steel-blue;    crescent  on  forehead,  and 
rump,  reddish-buff ;  throat,  chestnut;  whitish  beneath,  fig. 
343.     Breeds  throughout  the  greater  part  of  N.  A.     Winters 
in  S.  A. ;  south  in  Sep. ;  north  in  April.     Nests  in  communi- 
ties under  eaves  of  buildings  and  on  rocky  cliffs ;  eggs,  spot- 
ted.    Notes,  a  musical  chatter.     Flight,  rather  heavy. 

2.  CUBAN  CLIFF  SWALLOW,  P.  FULVA.  Differs  from 
1  in  having  the  throat  pale  reddish-cinnamon,  and  the  rump 
deep  chestnut.     Cuba,  resident ;  accidental  on  the  Fla.  Keys. 

c.    Sand  Swallows.    Riparia. 

Small  swallows,  brown  above,  white  beneath;  tail,  mod- 
erately forked ;  sexes,  similar.  Tuft  of  feathers  at  base  of 
hind  toe,  fig.  344. 

1.  BANK  SWALLOW,  R.  RIPARIA.  5.25;  mouse-brown 
above ;  white  beneath  with  band  of  brown  crossing  breast, 
fig.  345.  Breeds  throughout  the  northern  hemisphere  ;  in  N. 


DIRECTORY   TO    BIRDS    OF    EASTERN    NORTH   AMERICA. 

A.  from  Ga.  and  northern  Mexico,  north  to  the  Arctic  regions ; 
winters  in  S.  A. ;  south  in  Sep. ;  north  in  April  and  May. 
Common.  Xests  in  communities,  in  holes  of  sand  banks; 
eggs,  unspotted.  Notes,  a  feeble  twitter.  Flight,  rather  weak. 
Fig.  344.  Fig.  345. 


CC,  L,  c,  1. 
d.    Rough- winged  Swallows.    Stelgldopteryx. 

Rather  small  swallows,  brownish  above,  white  below; 
tail,  moderately  forked ;  adult  males  with  the  barbs  of  the 
outer  wing  feather  hooked  backward,  rig.  346. 

1.  ROUGH- WINGED  SWALLOW,  S.  SERRIPENNIS.  5.50; 
brown  throughout,  excepting  middle  lower  parts,  abdomen, 
and  under  tail  coverts,  fig.  347.  Breeds  in  temperate  N,  A. 
from  Central  America  north  to  southern  Conn,  and  British 
Columbia ;  winters  in  Central  America ;  south  in  Sep. ;  north 
in  May.  Nests'  in  holes  of  bridges,  buildings,  banks,  etc., 
seldom  in  communities ;  eggs,  unspotted.  Notes,  feeble  twit- 
ters. Flight,  not  very  strong. 

Fig.  346.  Fig.  347. 


CC,  L,  d,  1. 


SWALLOWS. 

e.    Tree  Swallows.    Iridoprocne. 

Larger  swallows,  with  medium  forked  tails;  bluish 
above ;  white  beneath. 

1.  WHITE-BELLIED  SWALLOW,  I.  BICOLOB.  6.00; 
greenish  steel-blue  above;  white  beneath,  fig.  348.  Female, 


Fig.  348. 


usually  dull  er . 
Young,  grayish- 
brown  above  and  in  a 
band  across  breast. 
Breeds  from  Ya.  and 
Cal.  northward  into 
British  America ;  win- 
ters  from  S.  C. 
through  the  Gulf 
States  and  occasional- 
CC,  L,  e,  1.  ly  further  north  ; 

south  in  Sep.  and  Oct. ;  north  in  April.  Nests  in  holes  of 
trees,  sometimes  excavated  by  the  birds,  in  bird  boxes,  or 
about  buildings.  Flight,  easy  and  rather  graceful.  Song,  a 
pleasant  twitter.  Abundant;  gregarious  in  autumn,  congre- 
gating by  thousands  on  the  sea  shore, 
f.  Green  and  White  Swallows.  Cliallichelidon. 
Differ  from  e  in  having  larger  bills  and  longer,  more 
deeply  forked  tails. 

1.  BAHAMA  SWALLOW,  C.  OYANEOVIBIDIS.  6.00; 
velvety-green  above  with  golden  iridescence;  wing  coverts, 
rump,  and  tail,  steel-blue;  white  beneath.  Female,  duller. 
Kesident  on  New  Providence,  Bahamas,  and  occurs  ©n  some 
other  of  the  Islands  ;  accidental  in  Fla.  Song,  a  musical  twit- 
ter. Nests  in  holes  of  buildings. 

g.    Long-tailed  Swallows.    Hirundo. 
Bill,  rather  small;  tail,  long,  and  forked  for  more  than 
one  third  its  length. 


DIRECTORY   TO   BIRDS    OF    EASTERN   NORTH   AMERICA.     2(53 

1.  AMEKICAN  BAKN  SWALLOW,  H.  KRYTHROGASTRA. 
7.00;  dark  steel-blue  above;  forehead,  throat,  and  breast, 
chestnut;  remaining  Fig.  349. 

lower  parts,  rich 
brown ;  tail,  crossed 
by  a  band  of  white 
spots,  fig.  349.  Fe- 
male, duller.  Breeds 
throughout  N.  A. 
from  the  Arctic  re- 
gions to  the  Gulf  and 
into  Mexico,  except- 
ing Fla. ;  winters  in 
S.  A. ;  south  in  Sep. 
and  Oct.;  north  in 
April.  Nests  inside  of 
buildings,  and  very 
rarely  beneath  their 
eaves.  Somewhat  gre- 
garious. Song,  a  CC,  L,  g,  1. 
pleasing,  bubbling  melody.  Flight,  very  graceful  and  easy. 
M.  WAXWIl^GS.  Ampelidae. 

Wings,  long,  pointed,  folding  beyond  middle  of  short, 
square  tail,  which  is  sharply  tipped  with  yellow  or  red ;  head, 
crested;  tips  of  shafts  of  secondaries  (in  our  species),  and 
sometimes  of  tail  feathers,  tipped  with  a  horny,  sealingwax- 
like  expansion.  Plumage,  very  smooth  and  blended.  Nests, 
in  trees ;  eggs,  spotted. 

a.    Waxwings.    Ampelis. 

Characters  as  above. 

1.  CEDAR  WAXWING,  A.  CEDORUM.  7.25  ;  wood-brown 
above  grading  into  slate  on  upper  tail  coverts  ;  beneath,  black 
on  chin  grading  into  brown  on  breast,  yellow  on  abdomen, 
and  white  on  under  tail  coverts ;  black  line  on  forehead 
through  eye ;  not  over  20  per  cent  have  the  red  tips  to  second- 


AVAXWINGS. 

aries  and  not  over  1  per  cent  on  tail,  fig.  350.  Breeds  in  tem- 
perate N.  A.  from  Ya.  north  to  Hudson  Bay  ;  in  fall  and  win- 
tar  wandering  south  to  Fla.,  Bahamas,  and  some  of  the  West 
Indies.  Gregarious.  Flight,  strong,  steady  and  direct,  with 
a  peculiar  flutter  of  the  wings.  Note,  a  rather  low,  hissing 
chirp. 

Fig.  350.  Fig.  351. 


CC,  M,  a,  1.    1-4.  CC,  M,  a,  2.    1-4. 

2.  BOHEMIAN  WAXWING,  A.  GAKKULUS.  7.75 ;  dif- 
fers from  1  in  being  grayer,  with  no  yellow  on  abdomen  ;  yel- 
low or  white  lines  on  tips  of  wing  feathers,  white  tips  to  spu- 
rious wing,  and  chestnut  under  tail  coverts,  fig.  351.  Breeds 
in  the  coniferous  forests  of  Northern  Hemisphere;  wander- 
ing south  in  winter,  irregularly,  to  northern  U.  S.  Notes, 
similar  to  those  of  1,  but  louder. 

N.    TAXAGERS.    TANAGRIDAE, 

A  large  group  of  thick-billed,  rather  small  singing  perch- 
ersthat  are  very  closely  allied  to  the  Sparrows  and  Finches, 
in  fact,  intergrading  completely  with  them,  but  our  species 
do  not  have  the  cutting  edge  of  upper  mandible  angled,  page 
8,  C ;  chiefly  tropical  and  sub-tropical  in  distribution, 
a.  Tooth-billed  Tanagers.  Pyranga. 

Bill,  slightly  toothed.  Nests,  placed  in  trees ;  eggs,  spot- 
ted. 


CO,  N,  a,  1.    1-4. 


DIRECTORY   TO    BIRDS    OF    EASTERN    NORTH    AMERICA.    2 

1.  SCARLET    TANAGER,    P.    ERYTHROMELAS.      7.50; 
scarlet;  wings  and  tail,  black,  fig.  352.     Female  and  winter 
male,  scarlet  replaced  by  greenish.  Fig.  352. 
Breeds  in  eastern  U.  S.  from  Ya. 

north  into  the  southern  British 
Provinces;  winters  in  northern  S. 
A. ;  south  in  Sep.  and  Oct.^,  north 
in  May.  Frequents  open  wood- 
lands. Flight,  swift  and  direct. 
Song,  loud  and  distinct  "Chip 
cherry,  cherry  chip'1'1  varied  some- 
what, sometimes  sweet  and  pleas- 
ing but  usually  marred  by  a  harsh 
tone  which  occurs  in  some  of  the 
notes. 

2.  LOUIS  I  AX  AT  AN  AGER, 

P.  L.UDOVICIAXA.  Differs  from  1  in  having  the  neck  black, 
two  bands  on  wing,  hind  neck,  rump,  upper  tail  coverts,  and 
beneath,  yellow.  Female,  differs  chiefly  in  having  yellow 
wing  bands.  Breeds  in  western  IT.  S. ;  accidental  in  N.  E., 
N.  Y.,  and  La. ;  winters  in  Mexico. 

3.  SUMMER  TANAGER,    P.    RUBRA.      7.25 ;    dull   red 
throughout ;  brownish  on  wings  and  tail.     Female,  yellowish- 
green,  brightest  beneath.     Breeds  in  eastern  U.  S.  from  south- 
ern X.  J.  south  to  the  Gulf  States;  casual  north  as  far  as 
Nova  Scotia;  winters  in  northern  S.  A. ;  soutn  in  Sep. ;  north 
in  April.     Frequents  the  pine  barrens  and  other  open  wood- 
lands.    Song,  loud  and  clear. 

O.    SHRIKES.    Laiiiidae. 

Singing  perchers  with  hawk-like  feeding  habits;  bill, 
short,  strongly  curved,  hooked  and  toothed;  wings,  short: 
tail,  long. 

a.    Gray  Shrikes.    Laniiis. 

Gray;  wings  and  tail,  black.  Nests,  in  trees  and  bushes; 
eggs,  spotted.  Food,  insects,  small  mammals,  and  birds. 


266  SHRIKES. 

1.     NORTHERN"    SHRIKE,    L.    BOBKALIS.     10.00;   pale 

bluish-gray  above;  white  beneath,  with  narrow,  wavy  lines 

(vermiculations)  of  dusky  ;  patch  on  side  of  head,  black  ;  scap- 

ularies,  patch  on  wing,  tip  of  secondaries,  and  all  but  cen- 

Fig.  353. 


CC,  O,  a,  1. 

tral  tail  feathers,  white,  fig.  353.  Young,  much  obscured 
above  with  rusty.  Breeds  in  northern  N.  A.  from  Labrador 
to  Alaska ;  wandering  south  in  winter,  somewhat  irregularly, 
as  far  south  as  Ya.  and  central  Cal.  Song,  a  loud,  clear  and 
varied  melody ;  also  a  harsh  cry.  Frequents  open  fields. 
Flight,  swift,  direct,  but  with  long,  sweeping  undulations ; 
always  rises  to  alight.  Sits  very  upright. 

2.  LOGGERHEAD  SHRIKE,  L.  LUDOVICANUS.  9.25 ; 
differs  from  1  ;n  being  darker  above ;  black  head  spots  ex- 
tending over  forehead,  and  in  having  no  dusky  markings  be- 
low, excepting  in  very  young  specimens,  fig.  354.  Resident 
in  the  coast  district  of  S.  C.,  Ga.,  and  west  to  La.,'  also  all  of 
Fla.  Song  and  habits  similar  to  those  of  1. 

2.  NORTHERN  LOGGERHEAD  SHRIKE,  L.  L.  MIGRANS. 
Differs  from  1  in  having  a  smaller  bill  and  shorter  tail ;  paler 
above  and  slightly  grayish  beneath.  Breeds  over  a  greater 
portion  of  eastern  U.  S.  from  N.  C.  and  eastern  Kan.  north  to 
the  more  southern  of  the  British  Provinces :  south  in  winter 
to  La.  and  Tex.  Of  local  distribution. 


PLATE  22. 


UPPER  FIGURE,  PROTHONOTARY  WARBLER; 
LOWER  FIGURE,  WORM-EATING  WARBLER. 


DIRECTORY   TO   BIRDS    OF   EASTERN    NORTH   AMERICA.     267 

P.    VIREOS.    Vireonidae. 

Small,  arboreal  birds  with  large  heads,  and  bills  which 
are  strongly  curved  at  tip ;  rather  deliberate  in  movement ; 
food,  insects,  chiefly  caterpillars;  Fig.  354. 

colors,  mostly  plain ;  nests  sus- 
pended from  a  forked  twig  of  a 
tree  or  bush ;  eggs,  white,  usually 
sparingly  spotted. 

a.    Wood  Vireos. 

Vireosylva. 

Bill,  rather  prominent;  wing 
bands,  absent ;  white  or  pale  yel- 
low beneath. 

1.  RED-EYED  YIREO  Y. 
OLIVACEA.  6.25 ;  top  of  head, 
gray ;  above,  grayish-green ;  white  CC,  O,  a,  2.  1-6. 

beneath  ;  dark  line  through  eye,  whitish  line  over  it,  bordered 
above  by  a  black  line ;  iris,  red,  fig.  355.  Breeds  throughout 
temperate  N.  A.  from  Fla.  into  the  British  Provinces;  winters 
in  northern  S.  A. ;  south  in  Sep.  and  Oct.  ;  north  in  April  and 
May.  Frequents  woodlands.  Song,  monotonous  repititions 

of  syllables;  "Hear  me,  see  me, 
hear  it,  heed  it;  sweer  William, 
sweer  it,  tweet,  tweet,  tweet, 
tweet"  (quickly  given  but  not 
always  following  the  other  por- 
tion) at  the  rate  of  36  or  more 
in  a  minute;  also  the  common 
vireo  scold.  Very  common. 

2.  BLACK-WHISKERED 
VIREO,  Y.  BARBATULA.  Lar- 
ger than  1 ;  bill,  longer ;  grayer  above  ;  dark  lines  on  head  not 
as  clear;  a  slight  maxillary  line  of  dusky.  Breeds  in  the  Ba- 
hamas and  southern  Fla ;  winters  in  the  West  Indies ;  north 
in  April.  Song,  '•''Whip  torn  kelley  (a  decided  accent  on  the 


CC,  P,  a,  1. 


268 


VIREOS. 


3.  PHILADELPHIA  YIREO,  Y.  PHILADELPHIA.    5.00; 
grayer  than   1    on   back ;    lines   on   head  distinct ;    strongly 
tinged    with  yellow  beneath.     Breeds  from  northern  N.  E. 
northward  into  the   British   Provinces ;    winters   in   Central 
America;  south  in  Sep.  and  Oct.;  north  in  May.     Yery  rare 
east  of  the  Connecticut  River  and  Alleghanies      Song,  simi- 
lar to  1. 

4.  WARBLING  YIREO,  Y.  GILVA,      5.40;  the  grayest 
of  our  vireos,  there  being  but  little  difference  between  the 

Fig.  356.  color  of  head  and  back ;  no 

black  on  sides  of  head,  but 
there  is  a  slight  whitish  line 
over  eye ;  white  beneath 
slightly  tinged  with  yellow, 
fig.  356 ;  iris,  brown.  Breeds 
in  eastern  N.  A.  from  Fla. 
north  into  the  British  Prov- 

CC,  P,  a,  4.  inces ;  winters  in  Mexico  ; 

south  in  Sep. ;  north  in  April.  Frequents  open  groves  or  or- 
namental trees  in  streets.  Song,  a  continuous  warble  con- 
sisting of  about  six  notes  uttered  at  rather  wide  intervals. 


b.    Banded  Vireos. 
Laiiivireo. 

Bill,  somewhat 
stouter  than  in  a,  wing 
bands,  present,  white; 
more  or  less  yellow  be- 
neath. 

1.  YELLOW- 
THROATED  YIREO,  L. 
FLAVIFEONS.  6.00 ; 
greenish  above  and  on 
sides  of  head;  line  over 
eye,  throat,  and  breast, 


Fig.  357. 


CC,  P,  b,  1. 


lemon-yellow;  remaining  under  parts,  white,  fig.  357.  Breeds 
in  eastern  N.  A.  from   northern   Fla.    north   to   the   British 


DIRECTORY    TO    BIRDS    OF    EASTERN    NORTH    AMERICA.     269 

Provinces;  winters  in  Colombia,  S.  A.;  south  in  Sep.  and 
Oct. ;  north  in  May.  Frequents  the  margins  of  woodlands, 
orchards,  and  open  groves.  Song,  "Do  you  hear  me;  do  you 
see  me;  here  I  am"  given  with  emphatic  energy,  slightly 
harsh  repeated  about  8  or  10  times  a  minute.  Nest,  covered 
with  lichens. 

2.  SOLITARY    VIEEO,    L.    SOLITARIUS.     5.50;  top  of 
head,  deep  slate-gray;  back,  dark  olive-green ;  ring  round  eye 
and  line  to  bill,  white ;  beneath,  white ;  sides  tinged  with  yel- 
low and  greenish ;  wing  bands  Fig.  358. 

and  under  tail  coverts,  tinged 
with  yellow,  fig.  358.  Breeds 
locally  in  southern  N.  E.  north 
commonly  from  northern  N.  E. 
into  the  British  Provinces; 
winters  in  the  Gulf  States 
south  into  Central  America. 
Song,  shorter  and  lower  than 
in  1,  and  given  with  less  ener- 
gy, without  the  harsh  intona- 
tion. Frequents  woodlands.  CC,  P,  b,  2. 

3.  MOUNTAIN  YIREO,  L.  ALTICOLA.      Differs  from  2 
in  being  larger,  darker,  with  more  gray  on  back.     Breeds  in 
the  southern  Alleghanies  from  Md.  to  N.  C. ;  winters  in  the 
lowlands  of  the  eastern  Gulf  and  south  Atlantic  States. 

4.  PLUMBEOUS  YIREO,  L.  PLUMBEUS.     Differs  from 
3  in  having  back  wholly  gray,  and  less  yellow  beneath.  Rocky 
Mountains  of  U.  S.  and  mountains  of  Mexico ;  accidental  in 
N.  Y. 

c.    Little  Vireos.    Vireo. 

Small  vireos,  often  greenish  above  with  much  yellow 
about  head ;  wing  bands,  present. 

1.  WHITE-EYED  YIREO,  Y.  NOVEBORACENSIS.  5.25; 
greenish-olive  above;  white  beneath  much  tinged  with  yel- 
low on  sides ;  line  from  bill  over  eye,  eye  ring,  and  wing 
bands,  sulphur  yellow ;  iris,  white,  fig.  359.  Breeds  in  east- 


270 


VIREOS. 


ern  U.  S.  from  northern  Fla.  and  Tex.  north  to  Mass,  and 
southern  Wis. ;  winters  from  S.  C.  to  Central  America ;  south 


Fig.  359. 


CC,  P,  c.  1. 


in  Sep. ;  north  in  May.  Fre- 
quents swamps,  rather  local. 
Song,  varied  detached  notes, 
given  emphatically,  "I-will 
give-you—a-lick"  i  s  an  ex- 
ample ;  sometimes  these 
detached  notes  run  together 
as  a  low,  continuous  song. 

1*.  KEY  WEST  YIREO, 
Y.    N.    MAYNARDI.      Differs 


from  1  in  being  larger,  and  much  grayer  above  and  on  sides 
of  head,  fig.  360.     Breeds  from  middle  Fla.  south  to  Key  West. 
2.     BELL'S  YIREO,    Y.  BELLII.      4.75 ;   head,   grayish, 
brown;     back,    dull   olive-  Fig.  360. 

green;  line  over  eye,  ring 
around  it,  wing  bands,  and 
beneath,  dull  white ;  breast, 
sides,  flanks,  and  under 
tail  coverts,  tinged  wit.h 
yellowish.  Breeds  in  the 
prairie  districts  of  the  Miss- 
issippi Yalley  from  south- 
ern Minn,  to  northern  111. 
south  to  eastern  Texas ;  win- 
ters in  Mexico;  accidental  in  Mass. 

Q.    MOCKING  BIROS  AND  THRASHERS. 

Mimidae. 

Large  birds  with  short  wings,  and  long  tails  which  are 
not  banded ;  bills,  slender.  Sexes,  similar. 

a.    Mockingbirds.    Mimus. 

Upper  mandible  of  rather  short  bill,  curved;  tail,  much 
rounded ;  colors,  dark  above,  white  beneath  ;  prominent  wing 
patch  and  tail  spots.  Nests,  in  trees  and  bushes ;  eggs,  spot- 
ted. 


CC,  P,  c,  1*. 


DIRECTORY   TO    BIRDS    OF    EASTERN   NORTH   AMERICA.     271 

1.      MOCKINGBIRD,    M.    POLYGLOTTUS.      10.00;    dark, 
ashy-gray  above ;  dull-white  beneath ;  patch  at  base  of  prim- 
aries, and  large  portion  of  outer  primaries,  white ;  iris,  yel- 
Fig.  301.  lowish-white,  fig.  361.          Fig.  363. 

Resident   from  Mexi- 
co north  to  Md.  and 
Colo.,  casually  to 
Mass.      Frequents 
thickets.    Song,  loud, 
clear,  and  varied,  of- 
ten   mimicking    the 
songs  of  other  birds. 
b.    Catbirds. 
Galeo  coptes. 
Bill,  shorter  than 
a;  tail,  less  rounded; 
colors,  more  uniform ; 
no  white  on   tail  or 
wings.     Nests,  in 
CC,  Q,  a,  1.  bushes;  eggs,  blue,     CC,  Q,  c,    1. 

1-5.  unspotted.  1-6. 

1.  CATBIRD,  O.  CAROLINENSIS.  9.00;  dark  plumbeous; 
lighter  beneath;  top  of  head  and  tail,  black;  under  tail  cov- 
erts, chestnut.  Breeds  in  eastern  U.  S.  from  the  Gulf  States 
north  into  the  British  Provinces  west  to  the  Rockies;  winters 
in  the  Southern  States,  casually  north  to  Mass. ;  south  in 
Sep.  and  Oct. ;  north  in  April  and  May.  Frequents  thickets, 
often  near  dwellings.  Song,  rich  and  varied,  sometimes  mi- 
micking other  birds;  notes  rather  deliberately  given. 

1*.  KEY  WEST  CATBIRD,  G.  c.  GRISIFRONS.  Smaller 
than  1;  bill,  more  slender;  darker,  but  with  forehead  gray- 
ish, fig.  362,  page  272.  Key  West. 

c.    Thrashers.    Toxostonia. 

Larger  than  b;  bill,  longer;  somewhat  curved  tail  much 
rounded.  Nests,  on  or  near  the  ground ;  eggs,  spotted. 


272 


Fig.  362. 


CC,  Q,  b,  1* 
Fig.  377. 


DIRECTORY   TO   BIRDS    OF    EASTERN   NORTH   AMERICA.    1573 

1.  BROWN  THRASHER,  T.  RUFUM.  11.50;  bright  red- 
l>rown  above ;  wing  bands  and  beneath,  bufTy-white ;  streaked 
on  sides  of  neck,  breast,  and  sides,  with  brown,  fig.  363. 
Breeds  throughout  eastern  IT.  S.  from  the  Carolinas  south- 
ward ;  south  in  Oct. ;  north  in  April  and  May.  Frequents  dry 
thickets;  song,  loud  and  varied,  each  note  being  repeated 
once  or  twice.  When  singing  is  usually  perched  in  some 
elevated  situation. 

R.    WREXS.    Troglodytidae. 

Small  birds  with  slender  bills ;  brown  above,  white  below ; 
usually  banded  on  wings  or  tail ;  often  keep  tail  erect. 
a.    Mocking  Wrens.    Thryothorus. 

Rather  large  wrens  with  quite  long  curved  bills  and  grad- 
uated tails.  Nests,  in  cavities  of  logs,  stumps,  etc. 

1.  CAROLINA  WREN,  T.  LUDOVICIANUS.  5.25;rusty- 
l>rown  above;  line  from  bill  Fig.  364. 

over  eye  down  neck,  buffy- 
Avhite;  narrow  line  over  this, 
olack;  buffy  beneath,  nearly 
^white  on  throat ;  no  bands  on 
flanks,  fig.  364.  Breeds  from 
northern  Fla.  north  to  south- 
ern N.  E.  rarely  to  Mass.,  west 
to  middle  Kan. ;  winters  from 
the  Carolinas  southward.  Fre- 
quents low  thickets.  Song,  loud, 
clear  and  varied;  often  mimics  other  birds. 

1*.     FLORIDA  WREN,  T.  L.  MIAMENSIS.     Differs  from 
1    in    being  larger  and  much  darker;  rich  chestnut  above, 
tawny-ochraceous  below,  excepting  throat.  Peninsula  of  Fla! 
b.    L,Qngvtailed  Wrens.    TLryomanes. 

Bill,  slender;  wings  and  tail,  rather  long;  in  our  species, 
bandings  and  tippings  on  tail. 


CC,  K,  a,  1. 


274 


1.     BEWICK'S  WREN,  T.  BEWICKII.     5.50;  plain  brown 
above ;  line  over  eye  and  beneath,  dull  white  ;  wings,  tail,  and 
Fig.  365.  under   tail    coverts,    barred 

with  dusky;  whitish  band- 
ings on  tail,  conspicuous, 
fig.  365.  Breeds  in  eastern 
U.  S.  from  N.  J.  west  to 
southern  Minn.,  south  to 
northern  Fla.  and  Tex  ;  win- 
ters in  southern  portion  of 
range;  south  in  Sep. ;  north 
in  May;  accidental  in  N.  H. 

CC,  R,  b,     1.  Frequents    open     sections. 

Nests  in  holes  about  buildings.    Song,  a  continuous  bubbling 
melody. 

c.    *House  Wrens.    Troglodytes. 
Small  wrens ;  bill,  rather  stout;  wings  and  tails,  short; 
both  banded  with  dusky. 

1.  HOUSE  WREN,  T,  AEDON.  5.00;  dark  reddish- 
brown  above  and  on  sides ;  dull  white  beneath  tinged  with 
brownish  ;  flanks  barred  with  dus-  Fig.  306. 

ky,  fig.  366.  Breeds  throughout 
eastern  U.  S.  north  into  Canada; 
winters  from  the  Carolinas 
through  the  Gulf  States;  common 
but  locally  distributed  in  N.  E. ; 
south  in  Sep.  and  Oct. :  north  in 
May.  Frequents  orchards.  Nests 
in  holes  of  trees  and  about  build- 
ings. Song,  acontinuous  bub- 
bling melody.  In  autumn  and 
winter,  seeks  the  shelter  of  brush 
heaps  and  thickets. 

1*.  WESTERN  HOUSE  WREN,  T.  A.  PAKKMANII.  Dif- 
fers from  1  in  being  much  paler  with  back  usually  barred 
with  dusky.  Breeds  throughout  western  U.  S.  and  Canada, 
east  to  111 ;  winters  in  Mexico. 


CC,  R,  C,  1.     1-4. 


DIRECTORY   TO   BIRDS    OF   EASTEKJN    NORTH   AMERICA.     275 

d.  Little  Wrens.  Olbiorchilus. 

Small  wrens  with  rather  short  wings  and  tails ;  dark, 
much  banded  below  with  dusky. 

1.  WINTER  WREN,  O.  HIEMALIS.  4.10;  dark  reddish- 
brown  above;  pale  brownish  beneath  sprinkled  on  fore  parts 
and  banded  behind  with  dusky.  Upper  wing  coverts  and 
sides  of  neck,  spotted  with  white,  fig.  Fig.  367. 

367.  Breeds  in  northern  portion  of 
eastern  U.  S.  and  Canada  from  northern 
N.  E.  west  to  Mich,  rarely  south  to  Mass, 
and  along  the  AlleghaniestoN.  C. ;  win- 
ters from  southern  N.  E.  rarely  further 
north,  to  northern  Fla.  and  along  the 
Gulf  coast  to  Tex. ;  south  in  Sep.  and 
Oct.;  north  in  April.  Frequents  dense 
thickets  along  walls  and  fences,  remain-  CC,  R,  d,  1. 

368.          ing  much  in  concealment.     Song,  an  ex- 
quisite, but  quickly  given,  melody. 

e.    Marsh  Wrens.    Telmatodytes. 

Small  wrens  with  long,  slender  bills, 
short,  rounded  wings  and  tails ;  streaked 
with  white  on  back.  Nests,  globular,  en- 
trance on  side ;  eggs,  brown. 

1.  LONG-BILLED  MARSH  WREN,  T. 
PALUSTRIS.  5.25  ;  dark-brown  on  head  and 
back,  reddish-brown  elsewhere;  streaks  on 
back,  line  over  eye  and  beneath,  white, 
tinged  with  reddish  on  sides  and  flanks; 
tail  barred  with  dusky,  wings  with  whitish, 
fig.  368.  Breeds  chiefly  east  of  the  Alle- 
ghanies  from  Ya.  and  Md.  north  to  western 
N.  Y.  and  Mass. ;  winters  south  to  the  Car- 
o.inas;  south  in  Sep.  and  Oct.;  north  in 
CC,  R,  e,  1.  1-3.  May.  Frequents  very  wet  marshes.  Nests, 


276  WRENS. 

attached  to  reeds,  grass  steins  and  bushes.  Song,  often  giv- 
en in  flight,  a  bubbling  melody,  rising  and  falling,  sometimes, 
connected  with  trilling  notes.  Flight,  weak  and  fluttering.. 
Local  in  distribution. 

1*.  MARIAN'S  MARSH  WREN,  T.  p.  MABIANAE.  Dif- 
fers from  1  in  being  smaller  and  much  darker  and  more  heav- 
ily banded.  Breeds  on  the  coasts  of  the  Carolinas ;  winters, 
in  western  Fla. 

1**.  LOUISANA  MARSH  WREN,  T.  p.  THRYOPHILUS. 
Differs  from  1*  in  being  smaller  and  paler;  crown  with  med- 
ian stripe,  often  wide,  upper  tail  coverts  often  unbarred. 
Coast  of  La.  and  Tex. 

1***.  WORTHINGTON'S  MARSH  WREN,  T.  p.  GRIS- 
ETJS.  Differs  from  1*  in  being  much  paler  and  grayer  with 
black  of  upper  parts  not  as  extended ;  top  of  head  and  back,, 
olive;  white  streakings,  few.  South  Atlantic  coast  from 
southern  S.  C.  to  northern  Fla. 

f ,    Meadow  Wrens.    Cistothorus. 
Very  small  wrens ;  bills,  short  and  slender ,  head  and  back 
streaked  with  white.    Nests,  in  sedges,  globular  ;  eggs,  white. 
1.  SHORT-BILLED  MARSH  WREN,  C.  STELLARIS.  4.25; 
dark-brown  above  streaked  on  head  and  back  with  whitish ,. 
Fig.  369.  banded  elsewhere  with  buff;  white  be- 

neath tinged  with  buff  on  breast  and 
sides,  fig.  369.  Breeds  in  eastern  N.  A. 
from  southern  N.  H.  and  Manitoba  south 
to  the  Gulf  coast;  winters  in  the  Gulf 
States ;  south  in  Sep. ;  north  in  May. 
Frequents  sedgy,  not  very  wet,  marshes, 
in  summer,  dry  savannas  in  winter. 
Song,  an  oft-repeated  tinkle  somewhat 
CC,  R,  f,  1.  like  the  sound  produced  by  a  light  ham- 

mer striking  an  anvil  with  a  sharp  blow  then  rebounding 
three  or  four  times;  never  given  on  the  wing;  more  often 
heard  during  cloudy  weather  or  by  night. 


DIRECTORY   TO    BIRDS    OF    EASTERN   NORTH    AMERICA.     277 

S.    CREEPERS.    Certltiidae. 

Small,  slender-billed  birds  with  broad,  long  wings,  large, 
strong  feet  fitted  for  creeping  about  trees. 

a.    Tree  Creepers.    Certhia. 

Bill,  long  and  strongly  curved;  tail,  long,  with  pointed, 
stiffened  feathers.  Nests,  behind  strips  of  loosened  bark; 
eggs,  spotted. 

1.     BROWN    CREEPER,    C.    AMERICANA.     5.50;  brown 
above  streaked  with  white  ;  rump,  rusty ;  dull,  silky-white  be- 
neath, fig.   370.     Breeds   in  Fig.  370. 
eastern   N.  A.  from  Mass, 
north  into  the  British   Pro- 
vinces, also  south  along  the 
higher  mountains  to  N.  C. ; 
south  in  winter  to  northern 
Fla. ;  s  o  u  t  h  in  Oct. ;  north 
in   April.     Frequents    open 
woodlands,  groves,  and  or- 
namental trees  everywhere. 
Creeps   spirally    up  trees 
then  drops  to  the  base  of  ei- 
ther the  same  tree  or  anoth- 
er to  reascend.     Usual  note,  a  thin,  sharp  lisp;  also  a  crack- 
ling cry  and  a  rather  unusual  silvery,  tinkling  song. 
T.    NUTHATCHES.    Sittidae. 

Small  birds  with  straight  bills,  long  wings,  short  tails 
and  large  feet;  fitted  for  climbing  trees  ;  descend  head  down- 
ward. Nests,  in  cavities  usually  excavated  by  the  birds; 
«ggs,  white  spotted. 

a.    Nuthatches.    Sitta. 

Characters  as  above. 

1.  WHITE-BELLIED  NUTHATCH,  S.  CAROLINENSIS. 
6.00;  bluish-gray  above;  top  of  head  and  hind  neck,  black; 
beneath,  white;  chestnut  on  under  tail  coverts;  excepting 


CC,  S,  a,  1. 


A 


278  NUTHATCHES. 

central  feathers,  tail  black  with  a  band   of   white,   fig.   371. 
Fig.  371.  Female,    with  black  of 

head  obscured  by  bluish. 
Breeds  throughout  east- 
ern U.  S.  into  the  British 
Provinces,  south  into  the 
Carolinas,  west  to  the 
eastern  margin  of  the 
Great  Plains ;  chiefly  res- 
ident. Frequents  alike 
woodlands,  orchards  and 
ornamental  trees.  Ordi- 
nary call,  a  harsh  "Cac/i" 
also  an  interrupted  series 
of  calls  given  in  a  rather 
CC,  T,  a,  1.  minor  tone,  suggesting 

the  familiar  call  of  the  Flicker.     Common. 

1*.  FLOKIDA  WHITE-BELLIED  NUTHATCH,  S.  c. 
ATKINSI.  Differs  from  1  in  being  smaller,  a  little  darker, 
more  grayish-white  beneath,  with  flanks  tinged  with  gray- 
ish. Female,  with  head  black,  or  nearly  so.  Fla.  west  along 
the  Gulf  coast  to  Miss.,  north  to  the  coast  region  of  N.  C. 
where  it  intergrades  with  1.  Has  a  singular  low,  warbling 
song  given  usually  while  flying  restlessly  about. 

2.  KED-BELLIED  NUTHATCH,  S.  CANADENSIS.  4.50; 
differs  from  1  in  color  in  having  a  black  line  through  eye 
broadening  out  behind  it ;  hind  neck  like  back,  strongly 
tinged  with  reddish  beneath,  fig.  372.  Female  has  the  head 
line  bluish  and  is  lighter  below.  Breeds  in  the  forests  of 
northern  N.  A.  from  Mass,  to  Labrador  south  along  the  high- 
er Alleghanies  to  N.  C.  south  in  winter  from  Mass,  to  the  ex- 
treme southern  states;  south  in  Aug.,  Sep.>  and  Oct. ;  north 
in  April.  Notes,  a  little  sharper  than  1,  and  more  deliberate 
when  breeding.  Found  nearly  everywhere,  but  most  com- 
monly in  woodlands. 


DIRECTORY  TO   BIRDS   OF   EASTERN  NORTH  AMERICA.     279 

3.  BROWN-HEADED  NUTHATCH,  S.  PTJSILLA.  4.00; 
dark-bluish  above;  crown  and  hind  neck,  brown;  spot  on 
nape,  white;  beneath,  dull  Fig.  372. 

white;  tail,  save  central 
feathers,  black,  with  an  in- 
distinct band  of  white.  Res- 
ident in  the  coast  pine  belt 
from  southern  Del.  to  Tex. ; 
casually  north  to  N.  Y., 
Mich.,  etc.;  Great  Bahama 
Island.  Note,  a  harsh,  sol- 
emnly given  "Cac/i"  often 
repeated.  Gregarious.  Fig. 
373. 

U.    WARBLERS.    Sylviidae. 

Our  species  are  small  birds  with  long  wings,  short  deep- 
ly notched  tails ;  bills,  small  with  nostrils  concealed, 
a.    Kinglets.    Regulus. 

Very  small ;  crown  with  a  bright  spot ;  wing,  with  a  sin- 
gle band  of  white  in  a  dark  area.  Nests,  in  trees,  globular; 
eggs,  spotted. 

1.  GOLDEN-CROWNED  KINGLET,  R.  SATRAPA.  3.50; 
grayish-green  above ;  dull  white  beneath ;  top  of  head,  or- 


CC,  T,  a,  2 


Fig.  373. 


CC,  T,  a,  3.  1-4. 


ange,  with  a  yellow  and  black  line  on 
either  side,  fig.  374.  Female,  with  the  or- 
ange crown  spot.  Breeds  from  northern 
N.  E.,  northern  N.  Y.,  and  northern  Mich, 
north  to  Labrador,  rarely  south  to  Mass, 
and  regularly  along  the  Alleghanies  to 
N.  C. ;  winters  from  Mass,  to  northern 
Fla. ;  south  in  Oct. ;  north  in  April.  Song, 
a  rather  feeble  lisping  trill;  alarm  and 
call,  a  feeble  lisp.  Found  everywhere, 
most  commonly  in  evergreen  woodlands. 


28O  WARBLERS. 

2.     RUBY-CROWNED  KINGLET,  R.  CALENDULA.    Dif- 
fers from  1  in  having  a  partly  concealed  spot  of  ruby-red  on 
Fig.  374.  crown   with   no   other 

markings,  although  the 
female  sometimes  has 
this  it  is  usually  absent. 
Breeding  range  in  the 
east  similar  to  1,  but  win- 
ters further  south,  to 
southern  Fla.  and  Mexi- 
co ;  rarely  north  to  Mass. ; 
north  in  April ;  south  in 
Sep.  and  Oct.  Song,  be- 
gins with  a  few  lisping 
notes,  runs  into  a  clear, 
high  warble,  ending  with 
some  notes  with  a  rising 
inflection.  Occurs  mostly  in  woodlands.  Fig.  375. 

V.    GNATCATCHERS.    Polioptilidae. 
Very  small  with  short,  rounded  wings,  long  tails,  round- 
ed and  white  marked ;  bills,  long,  somewhat  flattened ;  hab- 
its, flycatcher-like.  Fig.  375. 
a.    Gnatcatcliers. 

Polioptila. 
Characters  as  above. 
1.     BLUE-GRAY  GNAT- 
CATCHER,  P.  CAERULA.  4.75 ; 
bluish-gray  above;    bluish- 
white  beneath ;  U-shaped  line 
on  forehead  extending  back  on 
sides  of  head,  black  ;   nearly  CC,  U,  a,  2.     1-3. 

whole  of  outer  and  terminal  spot  on  two  next  tail  feathers, 
white,  fig.  376.  Female,  without  black  on  forehead.  Breeds 
from  N.  J.  west  to  southern  Mich,  south  to  the  Gulf  States; 


CC,  U,  a,  1. 


DIRECTORY   TO    BIRDS    OF    EASTERN    NORTH    AMERICA. 

accidental  in  K.  E.  and  Minn. ;  winters  in  the  Gulf  States, 
Bahamas,  and  West  Indies.     Common.  Nests        Fig.  376. 
in  trees,  hung  from  fork  of  limb  ;  lichen-cov- 
ered ;  eggs,  spotted.     Call  note  "See  see"  lisp- 
ingly  given  ;  song,  a  low,  tinkling,  silvery  war- 
ble.    Very  restless  and  active. 

W.    THRUSHES.    Turdidae. 


Fig.  378. 


Medium  to  large   Singing  Perchers,   well 
proportioned,   for  among  them  we  find   the 
ideal  bird  form,  as  well  as  the  power  of  song 
developed  to  the  highest  degree ;  widely  dis- 
tributed throughQut  the  temperate  and  trop- 
ical regions  of  the  globe.  CC,  V,  a,  1. 
a.    Spotted  Thrushes.    Hylocichla.  1-4. 
Medium-sized  thrushes;  wings,  folding  to  middle  of  tail 
or  a  little  beyond;  bill,  short;  adults,  spotted  beneath;  sex- 
es, similar.     Eggs,  blue. 

1.  WOOD  THRUSH, 
H.  MUSTELINUS.  8,25; 
above  reddish-brown,  de- 
cidedly brighter  on 
head;  white  beneath 
marked  nearly  every- 
where with  spots  of  dark- 
brown,  fig.  377  page  272. 
Breeds  in  eastern  U.  S. 
from  Ya.  and  Kan,  north 
to  C  a  n  a  d  a  ;  winters  in 
Central  America;  south 
in  Sep. ;  north  in  May. 


CC,  W,  a,  2. 


Common,    frequenting 


wooded  glens.  Song,  loud,  clear,  and  bell-like;  "Tru-ral  lu 
tru-ral  lee"  are  the  louder  notes  with  other  lower  variations ; 
a  rather  harsh,  stammering  alarm.  Nests,  in  trees;  eggs, 
unspotted. 


282  THRUSHES. 

2.  HERMIT  THRUSH,  H.  TALLASII.  7.00 ;  tawny  above, 
decidedly  reddish  on  tail ;  white  beneath,  tinged  with  creamy 
on  breast;  spots,  triangular,  not  extending  on  sides;  eye 
ring,  creamy,  fig.  378.  Breeds  in  eastern  IS".  A.  from  Mass. 
(Barnstable,  Plymouth,  Worcester  Counties,  westward,  and 
irregularly  elsewhere),  northern  Alleghanies,  and  northern 
Mich,  northward;  winters  from  Northern  States  southward; 
north  in  April ;  south  in  Oct.  Song,  the  finest  of  all  our  birds ; 
there  are  four  strains ;  1,  "O/i  twee  ttvee  twee"  clear  and  high ; 
2,  "E  twter  twter  twter"  lower  but  pure;  3,  "Oh phera phera 
phera"  lower  in  tone,  almost  pathetic  in  terminal  note,  all 
prolonged ;  4,  "J£  che  te  wete"  softly  given,  often  almost  in  a 
whisper ;  method  of  giving  song  very  varied ;  all  of  the  four 
Fig.  379. 


CC,  W,  a,  3. 

strains  are  seldom  given  successively,  and  while  1  i-s  almost 
always  given  first,  this  may  be  followed  by  any  of  the  others, 
from  2  to  4,  thus  the  song  may  consist  of  from  two  (very 
rarely)  to  four  strains,  but  I  have  never  heard  any  note  giv- 
en in  advance  of  one  which  should  follow  it;  thus  the  com- 
binations of  notes  are  limited  to  seven,  all  of  which  I  have 
beard  given  by  a  single  bird  on  my  own  place  in  Barnstable; 


DIRECTORY   TO   BIKDS    OF   EASTERN   NORTH   AMERICA.     283 

alarm,  a  whistling  "Cluck."     Frequents  woodlands.     Nests 
on  ground ;  eggs,  unspotted. 

3.  OLIVE-BACKED  THRUSH,  H.  SWAINSONII.     7.00; 
uniform  olive  above ;  eye  ring,  sides  of  head,  and  breast,  red- 
dish-buff ;  spots  beneath,  broadly  triangular,  fig.  379.    Breeds 
in  eastern  N.  A.  from  the  mountains  of  Penn.  and  N.  Y.,  and 
northern  X.  E.,  northward;  winters  in  S.  A. ;  south  in  Sep. 
and  Oct. ;  north  in  April  and  May.     Song,  differs  from  2  in 
being  lower  in  scale;  alarm  like  2.     Frequents  heavy  wood- 
lands.    Nests  in  low  trees  or  bushes;  eggs,  spotted. 

4.  GRAY-CHEEKED  THRUSH,   H.    ALICIAE.      Differs 
from  3  in  having  the  eye  ring  and  sides  of  head  grayish-white 


Fig.  380. 


and  the  breast  with 
little  or  no  tingeing  of 
buff.    Breeds  in  east- 
ern N.   A.   chiefly 
north   of   the  U.  S. ; 
winters  in  Central 
America;  south  in 
Sep.  and  Oct. ;  north 
in  May.      Common, 
frequenting  wood- 
lands   and   copses. 
Song,  as  heard  here 
in  West  Newton,  al- 
.most    exactly   like 
that  of  5,  but  rather  lower. 

4*.  BICKNELL'S  THRUSH,  H.  A.  BICKNELLI.  Differs 
from  4  in  being  smaller.  Breeds  on  the  mountains  of  the 
northeastern  States  and  Nova  Scotia.  Migration  as  in  4. 
Song  (as  heard  in  West  Newton,  Mass.),  begins  with  two  or 
three  notes  similar  to  those  of  1,  and  terminates  like  4. 

5.  WILSON'S  THRUSH,  H.  FUSCESCENS.  7.00;  reddifch- 
tawny  throughout  above ;  white  beneath  ;  eye  ring,  sides  of 
head  and  breast,  pale  buff ;  spots  confined  to  upper  breast  and 
very  pale  reddish-brown,  fig.  380.  Breeds  from  northern  N.  J. 


284 


THRUSHES. 


west  to  northern  Minn,  north  into  the  British  Possessions ; 
winters  chiefly  south  of  the  U.  S.  Common,  frequenting 
moist  thickets.  Song,  a  series  of  fife-like  notes,  beginning 
softly,  gradually  decreasing  in  volume,  and  ending  imper- 
ceptibly ;  the  exact  tone  and  effect  produced  by  it  are  indes- 
cribably weird;  alarm,  a  whistled  "PAew."  Nests  on  the 
ground;  eggs,  unspotted. 

5.     NEWFOUNDLAND   THRUSH,     H.  F.  FULIGINOSA. 
Differs  from  5  in  being  paler  above  and  more   indistinctly 
spotted  below.     Breeds  in  Newfoundland. 
b.    Thrushes.    Turdus. 

Larger  than  a;  wings,  longer;  white  line  over  eye. 

1.  RED-WINGED  THRUSH,  T.  ILIACUS.  8.50  Brown- 
ish above ;  line  over  eye,  stripe  on  sides  of  throat,  and  mid- 
dle portions  below,  white;  sides  and  flanks,  reddish;  breast, 
streaked  with  dusky.  Northern  Europe  and  Asia ;  accidental 
in  Greenland. 

Fig.  381. 


CC,  W,  c,  1. 


DIRECTORY   TO   BIRDS    OF   EASTERN   NORTH   AMERICA.     285 

c.  Unspotted  Thrushes.    Planesticus. 

Larger ;  wings,  not  extending  beyond  tail ;  not  spotted 
below  in  adults. 

1.  AMERICAN  ROBIN,  P.  MIGRATORIA.  10.00;  ashy- 
gray  above;  top  of  head,  black;  golden-brown  beneath; 
throat,  white,  streaked  with  black;  bill,  yellow,  fig.  381.  Fe- 
male, duller.  Young,  spotted  with  dusky  above  and  below. 
Breeds  in  eastern  N.  A.  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  ffockies, 
north  of  N.  C. ;  winters  from  Canada  southward  to  the  Gulf 
States ;  south  in  Oct.  and  Nov. ;  north  in  March  and  April. 
Found  everywhere.  Song,  loud  and  hurriedly  given ;  varia- 
ble, but  a  usual  form  is,  "Chip  cherry  chip"  with  other  notes ; 
a  single  sharp  whistle  of  inquiry ;  the  young,  when  nearly 
fledged,  give  a  practicing  song,  similar  to  the  adult,  uttered 
with  closed  bill,  and  thus  low  and  muffled.  Nests  in  trees 
and  bushes,  sometimes  within  buildings  or  about  them ;  eggs, 
unspotted. 

d.  Western  Thrushes.    Hesperocichla. 

Differ  from  b  in  having  proportionately  larger  feet,  and 
black  markings  below,  and  varied  wings. 

1.  VARIED  THRUSH,  H.  NAEVIA.  Differs  from  a,  1 
in  having  top  of  head  like  back ;  throat,  unstreaked  and  with 
under  parts,  wing  bands,  other  wing  markings,  and  line  over 
and  behind  eye,  brownish  yellow ;  band  across  breast  and 
patch  on  side  of  head,  black.  Breeds  on  the  Pacific  coast  of 
N.  A. ;  accidental  in  N.  J.,  N.  Y.,  and  Mass. 

X.    STONE  CHATS  AND  BLUEBIRDS. 

Saxicolidae. 

Smaller  than  W,  with  longer  wings,  always  folding  be- 
yond middle  of  tail.  In  our  species,  nests,  usually  in  holes; 
eggs,  blue,  unspotted. 

a.    Stone  Chats.    Saxicola. 

No  bright  colors ;  base  of  tail,  white ;  no  spots  in  adults. 


286 


STONE    CHATS    AND    BLUEBIRDS. 


1.  GKEENLAND  WHEATEAR,  S.  LEUCORHOA.  6.50; 
ash-gray  above,*  terminal  third  of  tail,  black,  remainder  with 
tail  coverts,  forehead,  line  over  eye,  and  lower  parts  behind, 
white,  otherwise  plain  buff  below;  patch  on  side  of  head, 
black;  in  winter,  strongly  tinged  with  cinnamon.  Breeds  in 
Iceland,  Greenland  and  Labrador,  straggling  south  to  Nova 
Scotia,  Me.,  N.  Y.,  and  Bermuda;  accidental  in  La. ;  winters 
in  northern  Africa,  Labrador  birds  reaching  their  winter 
quarters  via  Greenland  and  the  British  Isles. 

b.    Bluebirds.    Sialia. 

Prevailing  color  above,  bright  blue,  unspotted  in  adults ; 
no  white  on  tail. 

1.     BLUEBIRD,   S.    SIALIS.      7.00;   cobalt-blue   above; 
Fig.  382.  throat,    breast,   and 

sides  deep  cinnamon ; 
remaining  under 
parts,  white",  fig.  382. 
Female,  much  duller. 
Young,  reddish 
above,  spotted  with 
white ;  wholly  white 
beneath,  streaked 
with  reddish-brown. 
Breeds  from  Ga. 
north  to  the  British 
Provinces,  west  to  the 
CC,  X,  b,  1.  1-4.  Rockies  ;  winters 

from  the  Middle  States  to  the  Gulf;  south  in  Oct.  and  Nov. ; 
north  in  Feb.  and  March.  Common,  frequenting  'the  open 
country.  Call  song,  of  three  notes,  often  repeated,  "Cheer- 
i-ly"  given  by  both  sexes  and  the  young;  song,  by  the  male, 
a  low,  sweet  warble,  uttered  sometimes  in  flight  or  when 
perched  with  fluttering  wings.  Catches  insects  on  the  ground 
but  flies  to  perch  to  eat  them.  Flight,  rather  indirect  and 
wabbling. 


DIRECTORY  TO   BIRDS   OF   EASTERN  NORTH  AMERICA.     287 

1*.  FLORIDA  BLUEBIRD,  S.  s.  GRATA.  Differs  from 
1  in  having  larger  bill  and  feet  and  in  being  considerably 
deeper  in  color,  a  more  purple-blue  above  and  a  deeper,  rich- 
er cinnamon  beneath.  Resident  in  Fla. 

EXTIIVOT  SJPJE2OIESS. 

The  following  species  have  been  described  by  authors, 
as  inhabiting  our  section,  but  have  not  been  taken  recently 
anywhere.  Not  included  in  key. 

GREAT  AUK,  ALCA  IMPENNIS.  Form  of  Razor-bill. 
Above,  black,  with  large  spot  in  front  of  eye,  and  beneath, 
white.  Length,  30.00;  wing,  5.50.  Formerly  abundant  on 
our  coast,  but  last  seen  over  sixty-six  years  ago. 

LABRADOR  DUCK,  CAMPOTOLEMUS  I.ABRADORIUS. 
22.00 ;  white,  tinged  with  ashy ;  top  of  head,  ring  around  neck, 
and  middle  back,  and  beneath,  black.  Former  range,  from 
N.  J.  northward.  Has  not  been  seen  alive  since  the  early  70s. 

TOWNSEND'S  BUNTING,  EUSPIZA  TOWNSENDI.  Simi- 
lar to  the  Black-throated,  but  with  throat  white.  One  spec- 
imen obtained,  May  11,  1833,  near  New  Garden,  Pa.  None 
have  been  seen  since. 

CARBONATED  WARBLER,  PERISSOGLOSSA  CARBON- 
ATA.  Differs  from  the  Cape  May  Warbler  in  having  yellow 
wing  bands,  no  chestuut  on  cheeks  nor  white  on  tail.  Known 
only  from  Audubon's  description  and  colored  plate  of  a  spec- 
imen obtained  at  Henderson,  Ky.  in  May,  1811. 

BLUE  MOUNTAIN  WARBLER>  DENDROECA  MONTANA. 
Greenish  above  and  yellow  beneath,  streaked  on  breast  and 
sides  with  dusky  ;  tail  and  wings,  black.  One  specimen  ob- 
tained by  Wilson  in  the  Blue  Mountains,  Ya.  years  ago. 

SMALL-HEADED  FLYCATCHER,  WILSONIA  MINUTUS. 
Greenish  above,  and  pale  yellow  beneath,  with  wings  band- 
ed, and  outer  tail  feathers  patched,  with  white.  Found  by 


288  EXTINCT   SPECIES. 

Audubon  and  others,  in   the   Middle  States.     There  are  no 
specimens  of  either  this  or  the  above  now  in  existence. 

CINCINNATI  WAKBLER,  HELMINTHOPHILA  CINCIN- 
NATIENSIS.  Greenish  above ;  yellow  beneath  ;  patch  before  eye 
and  on  ear,  and  line  on  sides  of  crown,  black.  Length,  4.75  ; 
wing,  2.50;  tail,  1.85;  A  single  specimen  obtained  by  de- 
scriber,  F.  W.  Langdon,  at  Madisonville,  Ohio,  May  1,  1880. 


BLACK  AND  YELLOW  WAKBLEK. 


KEY.  289 

KEY    TO    ORDERS. 

I.    WATER  BIRDS. 

a,  bill,  pointed. 

1,  dive  from  water. 
U,  dive  from  air. 

3,  dive  from  water  and  perch. 

4,  do  not  dive. 

1,  head,  carried  over  body,  neck  thin;  A,  p.  11. 
1,  head,  carried  over  body,   neck,  thick;   C,  A, 
p.  16. 

1,  head,  carried  in  advance  of  body;  B,  p.  14. 

1,  large,  white;  E,  B,  p.  29. 

2,  smaller;  F,  C,  p.  48. 

3,  neck,  very  long;  E,  p.  34. 

4,  central  tail  feathers,  very  long;  E,  A,  p.  27. 

b,  bill,  hooked. 

1,  dive  from  water. 

2,  dive  from  air. 

3,  drop  into  water. 

4,  do  not  dive. 

1,  bill,  slender;  N,  A,  p.  120. 

2,  dark;  E,  D,  p.  32. 

3,  large;  E,  C,  p.  30. 

4,  swoop  down  for  food;  F,  A,  p.  27. 

4,  fly  high  over  surface  of  water-  tail,  forked, 
E,  F,  p.  35. 

4,  ocean  birds,  fly  close  over  surface;  D,  p.  21. 
C,  bill,  compressed. 

1,  bill,  black;  C,  A,  a,  p.  16. 

2,  bill,  red;  C,  A,  e,  p.  20. 

d,  bill,  conical. 

1,  small;  C,  A,  d,  p.  19. 

e,  bills,  flattened,  toothed. 

1,  N,  excepting  A,  p.  120. 


29O  KEY. 

II.  WADING  BIRDS. 

a,  bill,  not  sharply  pointed. 

1,  legs  and  neck,  very  long;  bill,  bent  downward ; 
O,  p.  144. 

2,  wings,  long  and  pointed;  flight,  swift;  G,  p.  59. 

3,  wings,  shorter;  flight,  slow  with  dangling  legs; 
M,  p.  113. 

b,  bill,  not  strongly  curved ;  size,  large. 

1,  head  and  neck,  naked;  J,  p.  110. 

2,  top  of  head  only  naked;  K,  p.  111. 

3,  head,  feathered;  L,  p.  112. 

c,  bill,  sharply  pointed. 

1,  neck,  bent  in  flight;  I,  p.  100. 

d,  bill,  spoon-shaped  or  strongly  curved. 

1,  neck,  held  straight  in  flight;  H,  p.  98. 

III.  LAND  BIRDS. 

a,  bill,  short  and  thick  ;  feet,  fitted  for  running. 

1,  flight,  sudden,  swift,  and  noisy;  P,  p.  145. 

b,  bill,  weak. 

1,  wings,  long ;  flight,  swift  and  prolonged  ;  Q,  p.  150. 

c,  bill,  strongly  hooked. 

*,  diurnal.  „ 

1,  head,  without  feathers ;  R,  p.  154. 

2,  head,  feathered  ;  colors,  not  bright ;  S,  p.  155. 

3,  head,  nearly  feathered  ;  colors,  bright ;  T,  p. 
169. 

**,  nocturnal. 

1,  plumage,  long  and  fluffy;  U,  p.  169. 

d,  bill,  somewhat  curved. 

1,  tail,  long,  rounded;  V,  p.  174. 
€,  bill,  chisel-shaped. 

1,  tail,  stiff;  tree  climbers;  W,  p.  176. 
f,  wings,  long;  plumage,  soft. 

1,  eyes,  large*  partly  or  wholly  nocturnal ;  X,  p.  181. 


KEY.  291 

g,  bill,  small;  wings,  long. 

1,  inhabit  chimneys;  flight,  swift;  Y,  p.  184. 
h,  size,  very  small;  bill,  long,  slender. 

1,  much  about  flowers ;  Z,  p.  184. 
i,  bill,  long,  pointed;  wings,  long. 

1,  head,  crested ;  food,  chiefly  fishes;  AA,  p.  185. 
j,  small  birds  with  flattened  bills;  songless. 

1,  food,  insects,  caught  in  flight;  BB,  p.  186. 
k,  singing  birds ;  never  large. 

1,  colors,  varied;  CC,  p.  192. 


KEY    TO    FAMILIES. 

A,  p.  11. 

1,  bill,  slender;  B,  p.  12. 

2.  bill,  thick;  B,  p.  13. 

B,  p.  14. 

1,  bill,  pointed;  p.  14. 

C,  p.  16. 

1,  neck,  short;  bill,  compressed;  black;  A,  a,  p.  16. 

2,  neck,  short;  bill,  compressed;  red;  C,  e,  p.  20. 

3,  bill,  pointed;  white  beneath;  C,  b,  p.  17. 

4,  bill,  pointed;  black  or  mottled  beneath;  C,  c,  p.  18. 

5,  small;  bill,  conical;  C,  d,  p.  19. 

D,  ocean  birds;  p.  21. 

1,  very  large;  wings,  long  and  narrow;  A,  p.  22. 

2,  size,  variable;  fly  near  the  surface  of  water;  A,  p.  22, 

E,  p.  27. 

a,  bill,  pointed. 

1,  central  tail  feathers,  greatly  elongated  ;  A,  p.  27. 

2,  tail  pointed ;  large ;  B,  p.  29. 

3,  tail  and  neck,  long;  E,  p.  34. 


292  KEY. 

b,  bill,  hooked. 

1,  very  large;  bill,  long  with  prominent  pouch;  C, 
p.  30. 

2,  smaller;  uniformly  dark;  D,  p.  32. 

3,  tail,  deeply  forked;  F,  p.  35. 

F,  p.  37. 

a,  bill,  hooked. 

1,  middle  tail  feathers,  projecting;  A,  p.  37. 

2,  tail,  square,  rarely  forked;  B,  p.  39. 

b,  bill,  pointed. 

1,  dive  from  wing,  C,  p.  48. 

2,  bill,  compressed;  under  mandible,  projecting;  D, 
p.  58. 

G,  p.  59. 

1,  habits,  duck-like;  small;  A,  p.  59. 

2,  legs,  very  long;  B,  p.  62. 

3,  wings,  short;  bill,  very  long;  B,  p.  62. 

4,  wings,  long;  flight,  swift;  D,  p.  68. 
H,  p.  98. 

1,  bill,  curved;  B,  p.  99. 
I,  p.  100. 

1,  no  plumes  on  head  or  body ;  A,  p.  101. 

2,  plumes  on  head  or  body  or  on  both;  B,  p.  103. 
J,  p.  110. 

1,  bill,  curved;  A,  p.  110. 
K,  p.  111. 

1,  bill,  straight:  A,  p.  111. 
L,  p.   112. 


KEY.  293 

K,  p.  120. 

1,  bill,  slender,  not  flattened;  A,  p.  120. 

2,  bill,  flattened,  widened  at  tip  :  B,  p.  123. 

3,  bill,  not  noticeably  widened  at  tip;  C,  p.  130. 

4,  size,  small;  tail,  stiffened;  D,  p.  139. 

5,  larger;  neck,  nearly  as  long  as  head;  E,  p.  140. 

6,  very  large;  neck,  longer  than  body;  F,  p.  143. 
O,  p.  144. 

1,  scarlet;  A,  p.  145. 
P,  p.  145. 

1,  small;  A,  p.  145. 

2,  larger;  B,  p.  146. 
Q,  p.  150. 

1,  bill,  slender;  A,  p.  150. 
E,  p.   154. 

1,  head,  destitute  of  feathers;  A,  p.  154. 
K,  p.    155. 

1,  wings,  pointed;  A,  p.  156. 

2,  wings,  short,  rounded;  B,  p.    162. 

3,  wings,  longer,  slightly  rounded;  sail  much;  D,  p.  163. 

4,  very  large;  tarsi  feathered;  E,  p.  166. 

5,  very  large;  tarsus  naked;  F,  p.  167. 

6,  wings,  very  long;  G,  p.  167. 

7,  legs,  long;  face  without  feathers ;  H,  p.  168. 
T,  p.  169. 

1,  tail,  long,  pointed;  A,  p.  169. 
U,  p.  169. 

1,  color,  pale ;  white  beneath ;  A,  p.  170. 

2,  darker  :  with  ear  tufts,  if  absent,  banded  or  small  and 
streaked:  B,  p.  170. 

3,  legs,  long,  nearly  naked;  C,  p.  174. 
Y,  p.  174. 

1,  black;  bill,  compressed;  A,  p.  174. 

2,  white  beneath ;  bill,  curved;  B,  p.  175. 
W,  p.  176. 

1,  climbing  habits ;  A,  p.  176. 


294:  KEY. 

X,  p.  181. 

1,  partly  or  wholly  nocturnal ;  A,  p.  182. 
Y,  p.  184. 

1,  tail  spiny;  A,  p.  184. 
Z,  p.  184. 

1,  green  above;  A,  p.  185. 
AA,  p.  186. 

1,  belted  beneath ;  A,  p.  186. 
BB,  p.  186. 

1,  colors,  plain;  A,  p.  186. 
CC,  p.  192. 

1,  wings,  long;    colors,  dull;    bill,  not  thickened;    A,  p. 
192. 

2,  larger;  wings,  short;  colors,  bright;  B,  p.  194. 

3,  smaller;  plumage,  long,  fluffy;  B*  ,  p.  196. 

4,  larger;  black;  C,  p.  197. 

5,  smaller;  streaked  with  white ;  D,  p.  198. 

6,  bright  colored,    brightly   iridescent   with   long   tail, 
black  with  red  wing  patch,  plain  black,  white  above,  or 
with  brown  head;  E,  p.  198. 

7,  bill,  deeper  at  base  than  one  half  its  length  ;  F,  p.  207. 

8,  small;  rump,  yellow;  bill,  strongly  curved;  G,  p.  234. 

9,  small,  about  5.00  long;  yellow  beneath  or  in  patches, 
with  black    markings   or   streakings   of   reddish,    darker 
above,   or  if  no  yellow,  black   and  white  or  bluish  and 
and  white,  with  occasionally  chestnut  markings  ;  H,  p.  234. 

10,  larger;  wholly  yellow  beneath;  I,  p.  255. 

11,  greenish  or  olive  above;  streaked  below;  no-yellow; 
J,  p. 256. 

12,  tail,  longer;  tertiaries,  long;  K,  p.  257. 

13,  wings,  long;  bill,  small;  capture  food  on  wing;  L, 
p.  259. 

14,  brown,  crested;  M,  p.  263. 

15,  colors,  bright;  scarlet,  etc;  N,  p.  264. 

16,  size  rather  large;  bill,  strongly  hooked;  O,  p.  265. 


KEY.  295 

17,  smaller;  greenish  abo^e;  bill  less  hooked;  P,  p.  267. 

18,  bill,  long;  wing,  short;  tail,  long;  larger;  Q,  p.  270. 

19,  much  smaller;  bill,  slender;  brown  above;  K,  p.  273. 

20,  small;  bill,  slender,  curved;  tail,  long ;  tree  climb- 
ers ;  S,  p.  277. 

21,  bill,  straight;  wings,  long;  tail,  short ;  tree  climbers; 
T,  p.  277. 

22,  very  small;    greenish  above;  lighter  below;  crown 
patch,  bright;  U,  p.  279. 

23,  small,  bluish ;  tail,  black  with  white  markings ;    V, 
p.  280. 

5&,  larger;  brown  above,  spotted  below,  or  else  reddish 
below,  unspotted ;  W,  p.  281. 

25,  blue  above,  reddish  below,  or  grayish  above,  buify 
below,  black  patch  on  cheeks;  X,  p.  285, 


INDEX. 


297 


Acadian    Sharp-tail- 
ed   Sparrow    220 

Alcedinae,    185 
Aicidae  16 

m.       inacgillivrali 
219 

Acanthus   226 
brewsteri   227 

Aider        Flycatcher 
191 

nelsoni   220 
mgrescens  219 

exilipes  227 

Alectorides   185 

peninsulae    219 

1.  holboelii  227 

Alle   19 

subvirgatus  220 

hornmanii    227 

alle   19 

Ampelidae    263 

linaria    226 

Alien's       Ptarmigan 

Ampelis   263 

rostrata   227 

148 

cedorum    263 

Accipiter  162 
atricapillus  162 

American 
Avocet,    63 

garrulus    264 
Anas   123 

cooperii   162 

Barn    Owl    170 

boschas   123 

velox  162 
Accipitridae  162 

Barn        Swallow, 
263 

fulvigula    125 
obscura  124 

Actitis,    184 

Bittern.    101 

o.    rubripes  124 

macularis,    184 

Black   Tern   56 

Anatidae  123 

Actochelidon    50 

Coot   119 

Ancient        Murrelet 

acutlavida    51 

Crossbill    228 

21 

maxima    50 

Crow,  197 

Anhingas    34 

Actodromas    72 

Cookoos,  175 

Anhingidae    34 

bairdii  73 

Eider   135 

Anhinga  35 

cooperii    73 
fuscicollis    72 

Flamingo   145 
Golden   Plover  91 

Anis   174 
An   Invitation,   1 

maculata  72 
minutilla  74 

Hawtiinches  229 
Hawk  Owl   173 

Anous  57 
stolidus    57 

Aegialitis  92 
hiaticula  94 

Herring  Gull  44 
Golden-eye   132 

Anser  141 
albifrons    141 

meloda  94 

Golden    Plover    91 

fabalis    141 

m.        circumcinta 

Goldfinch   228 

gambeli     141 

94 

Goshawk    162 

Anseres   120 

semipalmata  93 
wilsoniauus  95 

Long-eared       Owl 
171 

Anthus,   258 
pennsylvanicus 

Aesalon   160 

Magpie  194 

258 

columbarus  160 

Merganser.    120 

praten$is    258 

regulus    160 

Osprev    167 

spragui'i   258 

rishardsonii  160 

Oyster-catcher    97 

Antrostoinus,   182 

Aestrelata    25 

Paroquets  169 

carolinensis,     182 

hasitata   25 

Pipits  258 

vociferus,    182 

scalaris   25 

Redstart    254 

Aphelocoma    195 

Agelaius    200 

Robin   285 

floridana    195 

bryanti    200 
phoeniceus    200 

Rough-legged 
Hawk    165 

Aquila   166 
chrysoetos    166 

p.    floridanus    200 

Scoter   136 

Aquilidae    166 

Agreocantor  243 

Sparrow         Hawk 

Arami   112 

kirtlandi  243 

160 

Aramidae  112 

Aix  129 

Spoonbills  98 

Aramus   112 

sponsa    129 

Swifts   184 

giganteus   112 

Ajaja   98 

Vultures    154 

Arboreal   Ducks   129 

ajaja  98 

Warblers    234 

Arboreal     Sparrows 

Alaudidae    192 

Three-toed 

207 

Alauda    192 

Woodpecker  179 

Archibuteo,   165 

arvensis     192 

White-fronted 

sanctijohanis    165 

Albatross  22 

Goose  141 

Arctic 

yellow-nosed,    22 

Woodcock    65 

Eiders    136 

Albatrosses    21 

Ammondramus  218 

Owls   174 
Tern    53 

yellow-billed,    22 
Alca  16 

caudacutus   219 
fisheri   219 

Three-toed    Wood- 
pecker,   179 

torda   17 

maritimas  218 

Towhee  214 

298 


INDEX. 


Ardea,  103 

Northern,    167 

Brant,     143 

cinera,     104 

Baldpate    126 

Capped   Petrel  25 

herodias  104 

Baltimore         Oriole 

Crowned        Night 

occidentalis  103 

201 

Heron,    103 

wardi,  104 

Bananaquits,   234 

Cookoos,    175 

wurdemani,   103 

Banded 

Duck,    124 

Ardeidae  103 

Jays   194 

Faced    Ducks,    140 

Ardetta   102 

Vireos,    268 

Guillemot,    18 

exilis  102 

Woodpeckers    177 

Gyrfalcon,    159 

neoxena  103 

Bank  Swallow,   260 

Kail,   116 

Arenaria   96 

Barn   Owls  170 

Scoters,   186 

interpres  96 

Barnacle   Goose   142 

Skimmer     58 

Arenariidae    95 

Barred   Owl,    170 

Kites.   150 

Arkansas    King-bird 

Florida,    170 

Vulaures,   155 

188  ' 

Barrow's        Golden- 

Woodpeckers    180 

Arquatella  71 

eye,  133 

Black    and       White 

maritima  71 

Bartraniia,   82 

Ducks   132 

Ashy  Warblers  252 

longicauda,  82 

Sparrows   222 

Asio,   171 

Bartramian       Sand- 

Warbler 235 

accipitrinus  171 
wilsonianus  171 

piper,   82 
Bay-breasted 

Woo-dpeckers,   178 
Black   and       Yellow 

Astur   182 

Warbler   241 

Warbler,    238 

atricapillus   182 
Athenidae  174 

Bay  Ducks,   130 
Bay-winged       Spar- 

Black-bellied      Plo- 
ver 90 

Audaubon's 

rows  221 

Black-billed 

Caracara,  '  168 

Bean   Goose,    141 

Cuckoo    176 

Shearwater,    24 

Bell's    Vireo    270 

Blackbird 

Warbler    237 

Belted       Kingfisher 

Brewer's   203 

Auk,       Razor-billed, 

185 

Red-winged  200 

17 

Berwickfs        Wren,* 

Rusty    202 

Great,  287 

274 

Yellow-headed 

Auks,    Murres 

Bicknell's       Thrush 

202 

•Guillemots  16  * 

283 

Blackbirds, 

Auks    19 

Bird 

Parasitical,    205 

Avocets    and    Stilts 

Blue,    280 

Red-winged   200 

t>2 

Cat,    270 

Rusty    202 

Avocets  62 

Frigate,    35 

Yellow-headed 

Avocet 

Indigo,    232 

202 

American  63 

King,    187 

Blackburnian 

Aythya  130 

Man's-  War.    56 

Warbler    242 

americana    130 

Mocking,   27 

Black-capped      Pet- 

vallisneria   131 
Azuria,  238 

Oven   256 
Bird    Owls   173 

rel   125 
Black  Duck  124 

rara,  239 

Birds, 

Florida   125 

Bachman's 

Blue,  290 

Red-legged    124 

Sparrow    216 

Crying,    112 

Black-headed 

Warbler    249 

Frigate,   35 

Grosbeak   231 

Baeolophus   197 

Shore,   50 

Black-necked 

bicolor   197 

Snow,   214 

Stilt  *63 

Bahama 

Tropic,   27 

Black-polled 

Bananaquit  234 

Bitterns, 

Warbler  240 

Grassquit  233 

American,   101 

Black  Skimmer  58 

Ground   Dove,   153 

Cory's    Least,    103 

Black-tailed 

Redwing    200 

Least,  102 

Godwit  86 

Swallow  262 

Bitterns 

Orioles    201 

Baird's 

Little,  102 

Black-throated 

Sandpiper    73 

Striped.   101 

Blue   Warbler  236 

Bald    Eagle,    167 

Black 

Bunting  207 

Grebes    13 
Green   Warbler 
242 
Loon    15 

Black-whiskered 

Vireo  267 

Blue     and      White 
Herons   107 
Faced    Gannet    30 
Bluebird    286 
Florida,    287 
Grosbeak    232 
Grosbeaks    232 
Headed    Par- 
tridge    Dove     153 
Jay   194 

Mountain      Warb- 
ler   287 
Warblers    236 
Yellow-backed 
Warbler  247 
Bluebirds  286 

Blue-faced     Gan- 
net  30 

Blue      gray      gnat- 
catcher    280 

Blue    Headed    Par- 
tridge   Dove     153 

Blue- winged 
Teal    127 
Warbler    248 

Boat-tailed      Grac- 
kle  205 

Boat-tails   205 

Bobolink   206 

Bob-white    145 
Florida,     146 

Bob-whites  145 

Bohemian        Wax- 
wing   264 

Bonaparte's    Gull 
46 

Bonasa 

umbellus  147 
u.    togata   147 

Booby  30 

Botauridae   101 

Botaurus  101 
lentiginosus  101 
Brant   143 
Black,    143 
Branta   142 
berniela    143 
canadensis  142 
hutchinsii   142 
leucopsis   142 
minima  142 
nigricans   143 


INDEX. 

Brewer's    Blackbird 

203 

Sparrow  210 
Brewsteria    166 

ferrugineus    166 
Brewster's 

Linnet    227 

Warbler    248 
Bridled   Tern   55 
Bi-oad-quilled 

Woodcocks    66 
European    Wood- 
cock 66 
Broad-winged 

Hawk    165 
Bronzed      Grackle 

203 
Brown 

Creeper  277 

Pelican  31 

Thrasher  273 
Brown-backed 

Cuckoos    175 
Brown-headed    Nut- 
hatch   279 
Brunnich's       Murre 

18 
Bubo    172 

saturatus   172 

virgin  ianus    172 

v.    subarcticus 

172 

Bubonidae    170 
Buff-breasted 

Sandpiper  83 
Buffle-head  134 
Buffy 

Rails    116 

Sandpipers  83 

Sparrows    216 

Warblers  250 
Bulweria  25 

btilweri    25 
Bulweri's       Petrel 

25 
Bunting, 

Black-throated, 

207 

Lark     222 

Painted.    223 

Snow.    222 

Townsend'g,    287 

Varied   233 
Buntings, 

Ground     213 

Rice  206 

Silk  207 
Burrowing  Owl  174 


299 

Florida   Addenda 

Burrowing     Owls 
174 

Bush 
Jays  195 
Warblers    239 

Buteo  163 
boreal  is    163 
b.    calarus   164 
b.    kriderii   163 
brachyurus    165 
buteo    164 
harlani   164 
latissimus    165 
lineatus   164 
I.   alleni  165 
•swainsoni    165 

Buteonidae  163 

Butorides    107 
virescens  107 

Buzzard,    European, 

Buzzard   Hawks 

163 

Cackling   Goose   142 
Cabot's   Tern    51 
Caeruleocantor 

caerutescens    236 

e.   carnsi  236 
Cairn's   Warbler 
Calcarins   223 

lapponicus    223 

ornatus  224 

pictus  224 
Calamospiza    222 

melanocorvs  222 
Calidris   77* 

arenarit   77 
Campephilus  180 

principals   180 
Campotolemus 

labradorius  287 
Canachites  146 

canadensis  146 
Canada 

Goose  142 

Grouse   146 

Jay   195 
Canadian 

Pine    Grosbeak 

226 

Ruffed    Grouse 

147 

Warbler    254 
Canvas-back    131 
Cape   May   Warbler 

238 


300 


INDEX. 


Capnniulgi    181 

Changing    Egret 

Capmuulgidae 

106 

182 

Charadriidae   89 

Carauara, 

Charadnus  91 

Audubon's   168 

apricarius    91 

Caracaras    168 

dominicus  91 

Car  uonated    Warb- 

Charitonetta   133 

ler  287 

albeola   134 

Carainalis  231 

Chat, 

Floridanus  22       3 

Stone   270 

Cardinals  231 

Yellow-breasted, 

Cardinal    Gros- 

255 

beak  231 

Chats  255 

Florida 

Chauielasmus   125 

Cams'    Warbler 

streperus  125 

2o(J 

Chen   140 

Carolina 

caeruiescens   140 

Chickadee   196 

hyoerborea    141 

Junco    215 

b.    nivalis    141 

Paronuet    169 

Chestnut-collared 

Rail   115 

.Longspur   224 

Carpodacus    225 

Chestnut-sided 

purpureus  225 

WTarbler    240 

Caspian  Tern  50 
Catbird   271 
Key   West   271 
Catbirds  271 
Catharidae    154 
Catharista    155 

Chickadee,    196 
Carolina,    196 
Florida,    19t> 
Hudsonian   197 
Chimney    Swift   184 
Chipping    Sparrow 

atrata  155 
Cathartes    154 

208 
Chondestes    222 
grammacus   222 

aura  154 
Cedar   Waxwing 

QOf» 

Chordeiles   183 
virginianus    183 

Zoo 

Centurus  177 
carolinus  177 
Ceoplaeus    180 
b.    abieticola    181 
flilaatus  180 
Ce  j>im  ides    16 
Cepphus  18 
grylle   18 
mandtil  19 
Certha  277 
am  eric  an  a    277 
Certhiidae    277 

v.   chapniani   183 
Chroicocephalus    45 
atricilla    45 
franklinii   46 
miutus   47 
Philadelphia  46 
Chrysocantor   246 
aestiva    246 
Chrysomitris,    228 
pinus    228 
tristris,    228 
Chuck-will's    Wid- 

Cerulean   WftrMer' 

OQQ 

ow    182 
Ciconine    110 

joy 
Ceryle  180 
aicyon  185 
Cerylidae  185 
Caeture   184 

Cincinnati   Warb- 
ler 288 
Clnerosa   252 
Philadelphia    252 

pelagica  184 

Cinnamon  Teal   128 

Gheturidae  184 
Challichelidon      262 
c.yaineoviridia    ' 

Circus   157 
hudsonicus  158 
Cistothorus   276 

262 

stellaris  276 

Clamatores     186 

Clangula    132 
americana    132 
islandica   133 

Clapper   Rail   114 
Florida,   115 
JLouisiana,   115 

Clay-colored      Spar. 
row   209 

Coccyidae  175 
americanus    175 
erythropthalinus 
176 

minor  176 
m.    maynardi    176 

Cockaded       Wood- 
pecker 179 

Coereba  234 
bahamensis     234 

Coerebidae  234 

Colaptes   181 
auratus    181 
a.    luteus   181 

Colinus    145 

virgin-la  nu,s    145 
V.     floridanus    146 

Columba  150 
leucocephala  150 

Columbidae   150 

Colurnbigallina    152 
bahamensis    153 
passerina    152 
Colymbus  12 
holloellii    13 

Common  Tern  51 

Compsothlypis    247 
americana    247 
a.    ramalinae   247 
a.    usneae  247 

Connecticut     Warb- 
ler 251 

Contopus  189 
boreais  189 
virens  189 

Conuros  169 
carolinensis  169 

Cooper's 
Hawk   162 
Sandpiper   73 

Coot  119 

Coot-footed    Phala^ 
ropes  59 

Coots,    119 
American,  119 
European,  120 

Cormorant,    33 
Dou  ble-crest ed,   38 


Florida,    33 

Mexican  34 
Cormorants   33 
Corn    Crake    117 
Corvidae   197 
Corvus  197 

americanus   197 

a.    pascuus  198 

oasifraus    198 

principalis    198 
Cotur'nteulus     216 

anstralis    217 

henslowii   217 

leconteii    218 

passerinus   216 
Coturnicops    116 

noveboracensis 

116 
Cory's 

Gannet   30 

Least       Bittern 

107 

Shearwater   24 
Courlans  112 
Cowbirds    206 
Crake 

Corn,   117 

{Spotted,     116 
Crane 

Sand  hill.  111 

Whooping     112 
Cranes    111' 
Creciscus    116 

jamaicensis    116 
Creeper, 

Brown     277 
Creepers     277 

Honey,    234 

Tree.  277 
Creeping    Warblers 

255 
Crested 

Flycatcher  188 

Flycatchers  188 

Ibises  99 

Merganser   121 

Kingfisb.es    185 

Plover   89 

Terns     50 
Crex   117 
crex   117 
Crosbill. 

American,    228 

White-winged 

229 

Crossbills    228 
Crotophaga   175 


INDEX. 

ani  175 

Crotophagidae     174 
Crow, 

American     197 

Fish  198 

Florida,   198 
Crows  197 
Crying 

Birds   112 

Cranes   111 
Crymophilus   59 

fulcarius    59 
Cuban    Sparrow 

Hawk   161 
Cuckoo 

Blacked-billed, 

176 

Maynard's   176 

Yellow-billed 

175 
Cuckoos,   174 

American     175 
Black,   175 

Brown- backed 

175 

Cuculi    174 
Curlew 

Esquimo,   88 

Hudsonian    88 

Long-billed,    86 
Curlews     86 
Curlew  '  Sandpiper 

Curved-billed 

Kites    157 

Sandpipers  75 
Cuvier's    Kinglet 

270 
Cyannocitta  194 

cristata    194 

C.    floridana   194 
Cyanospiza  232 

caris  233 

cyanea   232 

versocolor  233 
Cygnidae  143 
Cygnus,    143 
Cypseli    184 
Dafila  129 

acuta  129 

Damsel    Egrets    106 
Dendrocygna    143 

fulva  143 
Dendroica 

auduboni    237 

coronata   237 

rnontana    287 


301 

Diabolic    Petrels  25 
Diagram    of      Chip- 
ping   Sparrows    9 
Dichromanassa     105 

pealei   106 
rufa   105 

r.   rnutata  106 
Dichromic     Egrets 

105 

Diomedeidae    21 
Dipper   Ducks    133 
Disked  Owls  170 
Dolichonix    206 

oryzivorus    206 
Double-crested 

Cormorant  33 
'Double-ringed    Plo- 
ver  92 
Dove,  150 

Bahama      Ground;, 

153 

Blue-headed    par- 
tridge,  153 

Ground,     152 
Key  West  Quail, 

153 
Keddy   Quail,   153 

Zienaida      152 
Dovekie    19 
Doves,    150 

Ground,  152 

Little,    152 

Quail,    153 
Mourning      151 

Partridge,   153 

Short-tailed    152      - 

Spotted,      151 
Dowitcher,    68 

Long-billed,   69 
Downy     Woodpeck- 
er 178 

Northern,   178 

Southern,   178 
Dryobates  178 

borealis  179 

pubescens  178 

p.   medianus  178 

villosus    178 

v.    audubonii   178 

v.   leucomelas  178 
Duck 

Black   124 

Florida   Black,  125 

Fnlvus  Tree,   148 

Harlequin,    135 
Duck, 

Labrador,  270 

Masked     140 


302 


INDEX. 


Red-legged    Black, 
124 

Damsel,   106 
Dichrom  ic,  105 

Ring-necked    132 

Eider,    135 

Ruddy,    139 

American,    135 

Rufous-crested     130 

King,  136 

WTood,    129 

Northern     136 

Ring-necked,   132 

Eiders,   135 

Ducks 

Arctic   136 

Arboreal,    129 

Elanus    157 

Bay,    130 

levcurns  157 

Black   and   White 

Elanoides  156 

132 

forficatus   156 

Black-faced,  140 

Empidonax    190 

Black-headed     140 

flaviventris    192 

Dipper,  133 

minimus    190 

Fresh  Water,  123 

trailli    191 

Gravy,  125 

t.    alnorum  191 

Long-Railed,    134 

virescens    191 

Painted,    135     ' 

Ereunnctes    76 

River,  153 

occidentalis  77 

Rudder,  131 

pusillus   77 

Sea,   130 

Erismatura    139 

Spoon-billed,    128 

rubia    139 

Sprig-tallied,     129 

Erismaturidae    139 

Stiff-tailed,    139 

Esquimo   Curlew  88 

Tree,   145 
Dunlin   75 
Dunlin   Sandpipers 

Eritonetta    136 
spectabilis    136 
Erola  75 

74 
Dusky-backed 

ferrugenea,    75 
Euethia    233 

Terns    55 

bicolor   233 

Dusky 

canora  233 

Horned    Owl   172 

European 

Owls   170 

Buzzard    164 

Rails   116 

Co6t    120 

Seaside      Sparrow 

Blue    Heron    104 

219 

Snipe    68 

Vultures    154 

Teal   127 

Dytes  13 

Woodcock   66 

auritus 

Evening    Grosbeak 

Eagles,  13 

230 

Bald,   167 
Golden,    -66 

Everglade   Kite  157 
Falcon, 

Gray  Sea,  167 
Northern   Bald 

Prairie  162 
Falcones  155 

167 

Falconidae    158 

Eagl(?s  166      , 

Falcons   158 

Fish,   157 

Gray    162 

White-railed,     167 

Noble   159 

Vulture.  168 
Eared    Owls   172 
Ectopistes    151 

Feather-legged 
Hawks    165 
Stints   71 

migratoria    151 

Ferrugneus    Hawk 

Egret.   105  . 

166 

Changing,    106 

Fighting   Sandpip- 

Peale's,  106 

ers 

Podrlish.    105 

Flold     Sparrow    209 

Egrets,  105 

Western    209 

Warblers    243 
Field    Warblers 
243 
Fisher's        Seaside 

Sparrow    219 
Finch 

Purple    225 
Finches 

Rosy   225 
Fish 

Crow    198 
Eagles    167 
Hawks    167 
Fisher's      Seaside 

Sparrow    219 
Flamingo    Ameri- 
can  145 

Flamingoes    145 
Flicker    181 

Northern    181 
Flickers   181 
Florida 

Barred  Owl   170 
Black   and    White 
Ducks   132 
132 

Black    Duck    125 
Blue  Jay  194 
Bob    White    146 
Cardinal  232 
Cormorant    33 
Chickadee    196 
Clapper    Rail    115 
Gallinule    117 
Grackle    204 
Grasshopper    Spar- 
row 217 
Jay    195 

Meadow  Lark  199 
Night    Hawk    183 
Pine  Warbler  244 
Red-wing    200 
Red-shouldered 
Hawk    165 
Screech  -  Owl    173 
Towhee    213 
Turkey   150 
White-bellied 
Nuthach  270 
Florida   107 

caerulea    107 
Flycatcher 
Alder   191 
Fork-tailed    189 
Great-creisted    191 
Least   190 
Olive-sided    190 


INDEX. 


303 


Scissor-tailed    187 

c.    grisifrous  271 

Golden  Plover  91 

Trail's    191 

Gallinago    67 

Golden-winged 

Yellow-bellied 

delicata    67 

Warbler  241 

192 

gallinago  68 

Goldfinch        Ameri- 

Flycatchers 

Gallinula    117 

can.  228 

Crested    188 

galeata  117 

Golden        Warblers 

Little   190 

Gallinute 

246 

Tyrant   186 

Florida  117 

Goldfinches   228 

Flycatching      War- 

Purple   118 

Goose 

biers   253 

Gallinules   117 

American    White- 

Fork-tailed 

Gallinulidae    117 

fronted   141 

Flycatcher    187 

Gannet  29 

Barnacle  142 

Frigate  Birds  33 

Blue-faced  30 

Bean  141 

Humming    Birds 

Booby    30 

Blue  140 

185 

Cory's  30 

Cackling    142 

Kites   156 

Red-faced   30 

Canada   142 

Sooty    Petrels    26 

Gannets   29 

Greater  Snow  141 

Foster's    Tern    52 

Garrulidae    194 

Hutchin's    142 

Four-toed    Plovers 

Garzetta  105 

Lesser    Snow    141 

89 

G'andidissima   105 

White-fronted 

Fox-colored    Spar- 
row 213 

Gavia  15 
arcticus  15 

141 

Goshawk   American 

Franklin's    Gull  46 

imber  15 

162 

Fratercula  20 

lumme  15 

Grackle 

arctia    20 

Geese  140 

Boat-flailed    205 

a.    glacial    is   20 

Gray  141 

Bronzed  203 

aquila 

Short-billed    142 

Florida    204 

Fregatidae 
Frigate  Birds  35 

White   140 
Gelochelidon    49 

Purple    204 
Grackles    203 

Fregates  36 
Fringe-footed    Pha- 

nilotica  49 
Gennaia   162 

Boat-tailed  205 
Grasshopper     Spar- 

laropes 60 
Fringillidae  207 
Fruticantor   246 
discolor 
Frontiornis    251 

mexicanus  162 
Geothlypis   252 
trichas  253 
t.    brachadactyia 
253 

rows  216 
Grass    quit 
Bahama  233 
Melodious  233 
Grass  Sparrows 

forrnoisa  251 

t.    ignota  253 

220 

Fulica  119 
americana    11" 
atra  120 

Geotrygon  153 
chrysea  153 
montana  153 

Gray 
Ducks  125 
Falcon    162 

Fulicidae  119 

Giant   Terns  49 
Glaucous  Gull  42 

Geese   141 
Gyrfalcon    138 

niilnis   132 

Glossy   Imite  100 

Jays    195 

Collaris   132 
marila   181 
Fuligulidae  loO 
Fulmar  22 

Goatsuckers  181 
Gnatcatchers 
Blue-gray  280 
Godwit 

Kingbird   188 
Owls  171 
Sea  Eagles  167 
Gray-cheeked 

Lesser    23 
Fulmars   22 

Black-tailed  86 
Hudsonian  86 

Thrush    283 
Gray-headed    Jun- 

Fulmarus  22 

Marbled  85 

co  215 

glacialis    22 

Godwits  85 

Great 

g.    minor    22 
Fulvous  Tree  Duck 

Golden   Eagle   166 
Golden    Eye    132 

Auk  287 
Black-backed 

143 

Barrow's   133 

Gull   42 

Gadwall    125 

Golden    Crowned 

Blue  Heron  104 

Galoscoptes   271 

Kinglet    279 

Gray    Owl    171 

carolinensis  271 

Sparrow   211 

Horned  Owl  172 

304 


INDEX. 


White   Heron   103 

Prairie       Sharp- 

Hairy     Woodpecker 

Greater 

tail    149 

178 

Redpoll  227 

Ruffed  147 

Haliaetidae  167 

Shearwater   23 

Sharp-tailed    149 

Saliaetus    167 

Snow  Goose  141 

Spruce    146 

ala-scanus    167 

Yellow-legs  78 

Wood   146 

albicilla    167 

Grebe 

Grues    111 

leucocephalus    167 

Holboell'is    13 

Gruidae   111 

Haliplana  55 

Horned  13 

Grus   111 

anaethetus   55 

Pied-billed  13 

americana    111 

fuliginosa   55 

Grebes    11 

mexicana  111 

Haralda     134 

Black-throated   13 

Guara  99 

hyemajis    134 

Long-billed    12 

alba    99 

Harland's      Hawk 

Short-billed    13 

Guillemot 

164 

Slender-billed    12 

Black  18 

Harlequin       Duck 

Thick-billed    13 

Mandt's    19 

135 

Green    and      White 

Guillemots    16-8 

Harriers    157 

Swallows    262 

Guiraca    232 

Harris's        Sparrow 

Green-backed    Hum 

coerulea  232 

211 

mingbird    185 

Gull 

Hawfinches 

Green-crested     Fly- 

American       H  ex- 

American   229 

catcher  191 

ing   44 

Hawk 

Green  Herons  107 

Bonaparte's  46 

American    Rough- 

Greenland     Redpoll 

Franklin's   46 

legged    165 

231 

Glaucous   42 

American       Spar- 

Green       Sandpiper 

Great        Black- 

row    160 

80 

backed   42 

Broad-winged    165 

Greenshanks    79 
Green-winged    Teal 

Herring   42 
Iceland   44 

Cooper's    162 
Cuban     Sparrow 

126 

Ivory    40 

160 

Green  Warblers  242 

Kittiwake  41 

Duck  159 

Qrennel's        Witter 

Gull 

Ferrugineous    165 

Thrush  257 

Kumlien's    44 

Florida    Red- 

Grosbeak 
Black-headed   231 

Laughing  45 
Little  47 

shouldered  165 
Harland's    164 

Canadian   Piner 

Mew   45 

Krider's    163 

226 
Cardinal    231 

Ring-billed    44 
Ross's  47 

Marsh  158 
Pigeon  160 

Evening    230 
Rose-breasted    230 
Grosbeakjs 

Sabine's  48 
Siberian    42 
Terns    49 

Red-shouldered 
164 
Red-tailed    163 

Blue    232 

Gulls  39-41 

Rough-legged    165 

Cardinal   231 

Fork-tailed  48 

Sharp  ed-shinned 

Song  232 

Hooded    45 

162 

Ground 

Hunter  38 

Short-tailed    165 

Buntings   213 

Ice  40 

Sparrow    169 

Dove    152 

Ocean   41 

Svftftinson's   165 

Owls   174 
Sparrows  160 

Rosy   47 
Gyrfalcon 

Western      Redtail 
164 

Warblers  245 

Black   159 

Hawk  Owl,   Ameri- 

Grouse,  Quail,   etc. 

Grav    158 

can    155 

145 

White   158 

Hawks 

Grouse  146 

Gyrfalcons   158 

Buzzard    163 

Canada    146 
Canadian    Ruffed 

Haematopodidae   97 
Haematopus  97 

Feather-legged 
165 

147 

ostralegus    97 

Fish  167 

Prairie  149 

palliatus   97 

Naked-legged    163 

INDEX. 


305 


Sharp-shinned 

Plumed   104 

Hylocichla  281 

162 

Thick-billed 

alicae  283 

Short-winged   162 

Night   109 

a.   bickneli  283 

Sparrow    160 

Herring-    Gull    42 

fuscescens    '^83 

Wide-mouthed 

Hesperiphones    229 

f.     fuliginosa    284 

166 

vespertina    230 

mustelinus  281 

Hawks,        Eagles, 

Hesperochchla    255 

pallasii    282 

etc.   155 

naevia    285 

swainsonii  282 

Heath  Hen   149 

Hierofalco    158 

Hydrochelidon  56 

Helenaia   251 

islandica    158 

lencoptera  57 

swaiusonii    251 
Helininthophila 

rusticolus   158 
r.   gyrfalco  158 

•surinainensis    56 
Ibidae    99 

248 

r.    obseletus  159 

Ibis, 

bachmani  249 
celata   249 

Highland    Sandpip- 
ers 82 

Glossy,    100 
Scarlet,    99 

chrysoptera   248 
lawrenci  248 

Himantopus  63 
mexicauus   63 

White,    99 
WThJ£e-£a,0ed 

leucobronchialia 

Hirundinidae  259 

Glossy,    100 

248 

Hirundo   262 

Wood,    110 

peregrina  249 
pinus   248 

erythrogastra    263 
Histrionicus   135 

Ibises    98 
Crested,   99 

rubricapilla  249 

histrionicus    135 

Herodias    104 

Hoary   Redpoll   227 

Wood     110   * 

egretta  104 

Holboell'<s 

Ice    Gulls    40 

Helmitheros    250 

Grebe   13 

Icteria   255 

vermivorus  250 
HelO'drfomus    '79 
ochropus  80 

Redpoll    227 
Honey    Creepers 

vireus  255 
Icteridae    198 
icterus    200 

solitarius    79 

Honey  Warbler  237 

icterus  200 

Hen 

Gulls   45 

Ictinia    156 

Heath    149 
Prairie    149 

Mergainser    122 
Warbler    253 

mississippieuisis 
156 

Henslow's    Sparrow 

Horned 

Indigo  Bird  232 

217 
Hermit   Thrush   282 

Grebe  13 
Larks    195 

Introduction    3 
lonornis 

Herod  i  ones    100 

Owls    172 

martinica  118 

Heron 
Black-crowned 

Horned   Lark 
Northern    193 

228iGh   Sparrow 

Night  108 
European  Blue 

Prairie  193 
House  Wren  278 

Iridoprocne  262 
bicolor    262 

104 
Great    Blue   104 
Great  White  103 
Little    Blue    107 
Little  Green   107 
Louisiana   102 
Wurdeman's   103 
Ward's    104 
White    104 

Hudsonian 
Chickadee  197 
Curlew   88 
Godwit   86 
Hummingbird, 
Ruby-throated. 
185 
Hummingbirds 
184 

Ivory-billed      wood- 
pecker   180 
Ivory    Gull    40 
Jaeger, 
long-tailed     39 
parasitic,   *38 
pomarine,    38 
Jaegers  38 

Yellow-crowned 
Night   109 

Forked-tailed,   185 
Hunter   Gulls   38 

Blue,    194 
Canada,    195 

Herons    100-103 

Hutchin's   Goose 

Florida,   195 

Blue  and  White 

142 

Florida    Blue     194 

107 
Green   107 

Hydrana.ssa    106 
ruftcollfs    106 

Labrador,     196 
Jays, 

Large    103 

Hylatomus 

Banded     194 

Night    108 

pileatus 

Bush,    'j.95 

306 


INDEX. 


Gray,    195 

Labrador 

Sandpiper   74 

Junco, 

Duck  287 

Tern    54 

Carolina,   215 

Jay   196 

Leconte's     Sparrow 

Gray-headed.    219 

Lagopus 

218 

Montana.    216 

lagopus   148 

Lesser 

Slate-colored,    219 

1.    alleni    148 

Scaup   132 

Junco   214 

rupestris   148 

Snow  Goose  141 

caniceps   216 

r.    reinhardi   148 

Yellow-legs    78 

carolinensis  215 

welchi    149 

Limicolae    59 

hyenialis    214 

Land  Rails  115 

Limoisa 

niontanus  216 

Laniidae    265 

fedoa  85 

Kentucky     Warbler 

Lanius  265 

haemastica   86 

251 

borealis   266 

limosa    86 

Kestrel   161 

ludovicianus  266 

Limpkin  112 

Key   West 

migrans    266 

Limpkins  112 

Catbird,    271 

Lanivireo 

Lincoln's      Sparrow 

Quail  Dove  253 

alticola   269 

212 

Vireo  270 

flavifrons   268 

Lineocantor 

Killdeer   Plover   92 

plumbeus   269 

castanea    241 

King 
Eider  13 

solitarius   269 
Lapland      Longspur 

striata    240 
Linnet,     Brewster's 

Rail   114 

115 

227 

King   Bird   187 

Lapwing  89 

Little 

Arkansas.     188 

Large  Herons  103 

Auk  19 

Gray,    188 

Large-billed    Plover 

Bittern   106 

King  Birds  187 

94 

Blue   Heron   107 

Kingfisher, 

Laridae  39 

Doves   152 

Belted,   185 

Lark 

Flyc'tcher   190 

Kingfishers.    185 

Bunting  222 

Green    Heron    107 

Crested,    185 

Florida     Meadow, 

Gull   47 

Kinglet, 

199 

Teals  126 

Curvier's     Adden- 

Meadow,   199 

Terns  54 

da 

Northern   Horned. 

Warblers   247 

Golden-crowned, 

193 

Lobe-footed    Phala- 

279 

Prairie       Horned 

ropes  61 

Ruby-crowned, 

193 

Loggerhead      Snake 

280 

Sparrow  222 

266 

Kinglets    279 

Western    Meadow 

.Long-billed 

Kino-   Rail   114 

Laniidae  265 

Curlew    87 

Kirtland's      War- 

Larks,   Horned    193 

Dowitcher  69 

bler    243 

Larus 

Grebes   12 

Kite,  ' 

affinis    42 

Marsh    Wren    275 

Everglade,    157 

argentatus  42 

Rails  114 

Mississippi.    156 

canus  45 

Warblers  285 

Swallow-tailed, 

dela.warensis    44 

Long-eared  owl 

156 

glaucus    42 

American,    171 

White-tailed     157 

kumMeni    44 

Longipennes    37 

Kites.    156 

leucopterus  44 

Loner-legged 

Black  and  White, 

marinus    42 

Petrels    26 

157 

Curve-billed,     157 
Fork-tailed     156 
Prairie,    156 

smithsonianus    44 
Laughing   Gull    45 
Lawrence's      War- 
bler  248 

Sandpipers    69 
Longspur, 
Chestnut-collared, 

OOQ 

KIttiwake    Gull    41 
Knot   70 
Krider's   Hawk   3f^3 
Kumlien's   Gull    44 

Leach's   Petrel  26 
Least 
Bittern    106 
Fvcatcher   190 

£3So 

Lapland,    225 
McCown's,     223 
painted.    223 
Longspurs,    223 

INDEX. 


307 


Short-tailed,    224 

Marbled   Godwit  85 

serrator    121 

Long-tailed 

Mareca   125 

Crested,    121 

Ducks   134 

aniericana  125 

Tooth-billed,     120 

Jaeger  39 

peuelope    126 

Merginidae   120 

Owls.   173 

Marian.'  s     Mansh 

Mergus   122 

parrots    169 

Wren   276 

albellus  123 

Pewees    69 

Maryland       Yellow- 

Merlin    160 

Pigeons   151 

throat  253 

Richardson's 

Swallows     262 

Marsh 

160 

Tropic    Birds   28 

Hawk    158 

Mew    Gull    45 

Wrens    273 

Sparrow    218 

Mexican     Comorant 

Long-winged 

Wren   275 

34                        • 

Owls    171 

Martin, 

Micropalama   69 

Pewees   190 

Cuban,   259 

himantopus    69 

Swallows  263 

Florida,    259 

Milvidae    270 

Swimmers  37 

Purple,    259 

Milvulus  186 

Warblers   251 

Martins    259 

forficatus    187 

Loon   23 

Masked  Duck  140 

tryannus   186 

B  kick-throated, 

Maynard's      Cuckoo 

Mimidae   270 

15 

176 

Mimus  270 

Red-throated,     15 

McCown's        Long- 

polyglottus   271 

Loons   14-15 

spur  224 

Mniotilta  233 

Lophodytes    121 

Meadow    Lark   199 

varia    235 

cuculatus  122 

Florida,    199 

Mniotiltidae   234 

Louisiana 

Western,    199 

Mocking 

Clapper    Rail    114 

Meadow    Larks    199 

Bird    271 

Heron  102 

Meadow   Wrens  276 

Wrens  273 

Marsh    Wren    276 

Megalestus    37 

Mockings  Birds  270 

Water    Thrush 

skua    38 

Mocking   Birds   and 

257 

Megaquijscalus    205 

Thrashers  270 

Lunda    20 

major  205 

Molothrus 

cirrhata   20 

Megascops   172 

ater   206 

Loxia    228 

asio    172 

Motocilla   258 

leucoptera    227 

a.    floridanus   173 

alba  258 

minor   228 

Melanerpes  177 

Motacillidae   257 

Macgtllavray's    Sea- 

erythrocephalus 

Mottled    Woodpeck- 

side   Sparrow   219 

177 

er   176 

Macrorhamphus 

Meleagrididae   150 

Montana   Junco  215 

68 

Meleagris    150 

Mountain 

griseus   68 

gallipavo   150 

Plover   9o 

scolepa.ceus    69 

g.    oscuola   150 

Vireo   269 

Maculocantor    238 

Mellanitta   136 

Mourning 

maculosa    238 

deglandi    137 

Dove    151 

Magpie,     American, 

fusca   138 

Warbler    252 

194 

Melodious        Grass- 

Mississippi      Kite 

Magpies    194 

quit   233 

136 

Magpies    and    Jays 
194 
Mallard    123 
Mandt's     Guillemot 
19 

Melospiza  211 
georgiana  212 
lincolnii     212 
melodia  211 

Mnrre  18 
Brunmch'g    18 
Ringed   18 
Murrelet      Ancient, 
21 

Mangrove      Cuckoo 

Merganser, 

Murres   17 

176 

American,    120 

Myarchus    188 

Man-of-war        Bird 

Hooded,    122 

crinit.us   188 

36 

Red-breasted.    121 

Nail-billed 

M^nx       Shearwater 

Meganser  120  " 

Swimmers    120 

24 

americanus   120 

Waiders    144 

308 

Naked-breasted 

Vultures    154 
Naked-faced     Ibises 

99 
Naked-legged 

Hawks    163 
Narrow-quilled 
Woodcocks    65 
Nashville    Warbler 

249 
Nelson's       Sparrow 

220 
Nsbdendroica    235 

dominica   235 

d.    albilora    236 
Netta    130 

rufina    130 
Nettion    126 

carolinensis   126 

crecca   127 
Newfoundland 

Thrush   284 
Nighthawk   183 

Florida    183 
Nighthawbs  183 
Night   Heron, 

Black-crowned, 

108 

Yellow-crowned 

109 

Nip-ht   Herons   108 
Night-jars    182 
Noble    Falcons   159 
Noddie   57 
Noddies  57 
Nomonyx    140 

dominictis  140 
Northern 

Bald  Eagle  167 

Blue    Yellow-Back 

247 

Flicker  181 

Hairy    Woodpeck- 
er 178 

Horned    Lark   193 

Phalarope  62 

Loggerhead 

Shrike    266 

Raven,    198 

Shrike    266 

Yellow-throat    253 
Numenius   86 

borealig    88 

hudsonicus    88 
longirostris    86 

phaoopus    89 
Nuthatch, 


INDEX. 

Brown-headed 

279 

Florida        White- 
bellied   278 

Red-bellied,    278 

White-bellied 

277 

Nuthatches  277 
Nuttallornis    190 

borealis  190 
Nyctalea  173 

acadica    173 

richardsoni  173 
Nyctea  174 

nyctea  174 
Nyctinassa   109 

violacea  109 
Nycticorax  108 

naevius    108 
Ocean  Gulls  41 
Oceanites   26 

oceanicus  26 
Oceanodroma  26 

leucorhoa  *26 
Octhodromus  94 

wilsoniug    95 
Odotoglossae    144 
Oidemia    136 

nraericana    136 
Olbiorchilus    275 

hiemalis  275 
Oldsquaw  134 
Olive-bncked 

Thrush  220 
Olive-sided       Fly- 
catcher 190 
Oporornis    251 

agilis  251 
Olor   143 

buccinator.    144 

columbianus    14*4 

cygnug  144 
Orn  n  ge-crowned 

Warbler  249 
Orange  Warblers 

250 

Orchard   Oriole   201 

Oriole, 

Blatimore,    201 
Orchard.    201 
Orioles, 
Black-tailed,    201 

Oricoris 
alpestris    193 
pratincola    193 

Oscines  192 


Osprey,    American 
167 

Ospreys  167 

Oven    Bird    256 

Owl, 

American     Hawk. 
173 

American        long- 
eared   171 
Barn     170 
Barred,    170 
Burrowing,    174 
Dusky    Horned 
172 

Florida       Barred, 
170 

Florida      Burrow- 
ing. Addenda 
Florida      Screech, 
173 

Great  Gray,   171 
Great  Horned  172 
Richardson's.    173 
Saw-whet,    173 
Screech,    172 
Short-eared,   171 
Snowy.   174 

Owls,    169 
Arctic,    174 
Barn     170 
Bird,'  173 
Burrowing,    174 
Disked,    170 
Dusky.    170 
Eared,    172 
Gray,    171 
Ground.     174 
Horned!    172 
Long-tailed.    173 
Long-winged,    171 

Oxyechus    91 
voeifera   92 

Oystercatcher.   97 
American,   97 

Oystercatchers    9T 

Pacrophala  40 
alba    40 

Painted 
Buntings   233 
Ducks  135 
Longspurs   224 
Snarrows  232 
Warblers  254 

Palm   Warblers  251 

Pandfon    167 
carolinpnsfs   167 

Pandonidae  167 


Parasitic  Jaeger  38 
Patfdae    196 
Paroquet,    Carolina 

169 
Paroquets 

American,    169 
Parrots ,      Macaws, 

Etc.    169 
Partridge       Doves 

145 

Partridges    145 
Parrots.     Long-tail- 
ed,  169 
Passerculus    220 

princeps    221 

savanna    220 
Passerella   213 

iliaoa    213 
Passerina  223 

navalis   223 
Passenger       Pigeon 

151 
Pavoncella    81 

pugnax   82 
Peal's   Egret  106 
Pectoral    Sandpiper 

Pediocetes   149 
campestrius    149 

Pelecanidae   30 

Pelecanus   31 
erythrorhynchos 
31 
fncus  31 

Plegadis    99 
autumnalis  100 
guarauna  100 

Pelican. 
Brown,   31 
White,    31 

Pelicans   74 

Pelinda  74 
alpina  75 
sakhalina  74 

Pelionetta    138 

perspicillata    132 

Pendnlinus  201 
spurius   201 

Penthestes   196 
atricapillus    196 
carolinensls    196 
c.    fmpiger  196 
hudsonicus   197 

Perchers, 
Singing    192 

Songless,    186 

Perdicldae   145 


Perisoreus    195 
canadensis   195 
c.       nigracapillus 
196 

carbonate   237 
tisrina    238 
Perisoglossa   237 
Petrel. 

Black-capped,    25 
Bulwer's     25 
Leach's    26 
Scaled,  25 

Wilson's    26 
Petrels    22 

Diabolic,    25 

Fork-tailed,     26 

Long-legged.    26 

Sooty,    26 

Stormy     25 

Wedge-tailed,    25 
Petrochelidon    260 

nlva   260 

lunifrons    260 
Pewee,    Wood,    189 
Pewees.    189 
Long-winged.     190 
Phaethon    28 

aetherus  28 

flavirostris   28 
Phaetohntidae    27 
Phalacorcoracidae 

32 
Phalacorcorax    33 

dilophus   33 

floridanus    33 

mexicanus    34 
Phalarope, 

northern     62 

Red,    60' 

Wilson's  60 
Pralaropes, 

Coot-footed,    59 

Prfsged-footed    60 

Lobe-footed    61 
Phasiani    145 
Philadelphia     Vireo 

268 
Philohela    65 

minor  65 
Phoebe    189 

Say's    189 
Phoebes    188 
Phoenicopteridae 

145 
Phoenicopterus    145 

ruber  145 
Pica  194 


309 

hudsonica  194 
Piceacantor   241 

blackburnae   242 
Pici  176 
Picidae   176 
Picoides    179     . 

americanus  179 
articus,    179 
Pied-billed    Grebe 

13 

Pigeon   Hawk  160 
Pigeon. 

Passenger  151 
white-crowned 
150 

Pigeons    150 
Long-tailed    151 

Pileated        Wood- 
pecker,   180 
Northern.  181 

Pinacantor   244 
vigorsii   244 
v.    florida    244 

Pine 

Grosbeaks  225 
Siskin  227 
Warbler    244 
Warblers  244 

Pine-woods    Spar- 
row   216 

Pinicola    226 
canadensis   226 

Pin-tail  129 

Pipflo 
alleni    214 
arcticus  214 
erythropthalmus 
213 

Piping    Plover    74 

Pipit 

American,    258 
Meadow    258 
Sprague's    258 

Plain  Warblers  251 

Planesticus  285 
migrator! a    285 

TMataleidae    98 

Plotidae  57 

Plover, 

American    Golden 
91 

Belted    Piping,    94 
Black-bellied,    90 
Golden     9t 
Killdee'r.  91 
Mountain.   95 
Piping.    94 


310 


INDEX. 


Ring,    94 

Psittacidae  169 

Land    114 

Semipalmated,    93 

Ptarmigan, 

Long-billed,   11  i 

Wilson's    95 

Allen    148 

Short-billed    115 

Plovers,    89 

Reinhardt's  148 

True,    113 

crested     89 

Rock,     148 

Rails,     Gallinules 

Double-ringed,    91 

Welch's   148 

and  Coots  113 

Four-toed.    89 

Willow,    148 

Ralli    113 

Golden,   91 

Large-billed,    20 

Rallidae    113 

Large-billed   94 

Ptarmigans    147 

Rallus  114 

Rinsrless,   95 

Pucaea  216 

crepitans    114 

Single-ringed,    94 

aestavalis    216 

elegans  114 

Plumbeons        Vireo 

a.   bachmani  216 

saturatus   115 

269 

Puffin   20 

scottii    115 

Plumed    Herons. 
104 

Large-billed,  20 
Tufted,    20 

virginianus     114 
Kaveu,        .[Northern, 

Pochards  130 
Podascys    95 

Puffins,   20 
Crested.    20 

198 
Razor-billed  Auk  17 

rnontana   95 

Puffinus  23 

Recurvirostra   C2 

1>odicipidae  12 
Podicipides    11 
Podilymbus    13 

auduboni    24 
borealis   24 
fullginosa    24 

americana   63 
Recurvirostridae    62 
Ked-eyed        Towhee 

VI  *%. 

podiceps    13 
Podyivmbidae    13 
Polioptilidae  280 
Polioptila    280 
caerulea    280 
Polyboridae    168 
Polyborus    168 
cheriway  168 
Pomarine   Jasrer    38 
Poocaetes    221 
gramineus   221 

gavis   23 
puffinus    24 
i'urple 
Finch    225 
Gallinule   118 
Grackle   204 
Martin  259 
Sandpiper   71 
Fyranga  264 
erythromelas    265 
ludoviciana  265 
rubra  265 

ZJLO 

Red-bellied 
Nuthatch   278 
Woodpecker    177 
Red-billed        Tropic 
Bird  28 
Red-breasted      Mer- 
ganser   121 
Reddish   Egret  104 
Red-eyed 
Towhee   213 
Vireo  267 

Porzana  115 
Carolina    115 
porzana    116 
Prairie 
Falcon   162 
Grouse    149 
Hen   149 
Horned    Lark    193 
Kites  156 
Sharp-tailed 
Grouse    149 
Sparrows  222 
Warbler  249 
Procellaria    25 
Belagica  25 
Procellaridae   22 
Progne 

Quail   Dove  153 
Key  West,   153 
Ruddy,    153 
Quail   Doves   153 
Querquedula    127 
cyanoptera   128 
discors    127 
Quiscalus    203 
aeneus    203 
agelaeus    204 
quiscala   204 
Rail, 
Carolina,    115 
Clapper,    114 
Black,   116 
Florida        Clapper 
115 

Red-faced       Gannet 
30 
Redhead  130 
Red-headed      Wood- 
pecker 177 
Red-legged        Black 
Duck  124 
Red    Phalarope  60    - 
Kedpoll    226 
Greater,     227 
Greenland,    227 
Hoary,    227 
Holboell's    227 
iRed-polled  •      Warb- 
ler  245 
Redpolls    226 
Red-shouldered 
Hawk   164 

cryptoluca  259 
subis    259 
s.    floridana   ?50 

King,     114 
Louisiana    Clapper, 

Florida,   165 
Redstart,        Ameri- 
can    255 

Prothonotary    War- 

Virginia 114 

Red-failed        Hawk 

bler  250 

Yellow,    115 

i63 

Protonataria   250 
citrea    250 

Kails, 
Buffy,    lie 

Red-throated     Loon 
15 

PslttacI    169 

Dusky,    114 

Red-wing 

INDEX. 


311 


Bahama,    200 
Florida,   200 
Red-winged      Black- 

Ruby-throated 
Hummingbird    185 
Rudder  Ducks  139 

Savanna  Sparrow 
220 
Saw-whet  Owl  173 

bird  200 

Ruddy 

Saxicola    286 

Starlings    200 

Duck  139 

leucorhoa   286 

Thrush  284 

Quail  Dove  153 

Saxicolidae  28 

Regulus  27 

Sandpiper  70 

Sayorms-  188 

calendula   280 
cuvereri    Addenda 

Ruff  82 
Ruffed  Grouse  147 

phoephe  189 
sayi  189 

satrapa  279 
Reluhardt's       Ptar- 

Rufous   Sparrows 
213 

Say's  Pheobe  189 
Sctled    Petrel    25 

migan  148 
Rhodostethia   47 

Rufous-crested 
Duck  130 

Scarlet-crested 
Woodpecker   180 

rosea   47 
Rhynchodon    160 

Rusty  Blackbird 
202 

Scarlet 
ibis  99 

anatuni    159 
Rhynchops    58 

Rusty   Blackbirds 
202 

Tanager  265 
Scaup,  181 

nigar    58 
Rhynchopidae   58 
Rice   Buntings  206 

Ryhnchophanes    224 
mccownii      224 
Sabine's   Gull  48 

Lesser,   132 
Scissor-tailed    F4y- 
catcher  189 

Rlehardson's 

Sanderling  77 

Scissor-tails   186 

Merlin   160 

Sandhill   Crane  111 

Scolecophagus  202 

Owl    173 
Ring-billed   Gull   44 

Sandpiper, 
Baird's,   73 

carolinus  202 
cyanocephalus 

Ringed 

Bartrarnian,    82 

202 

Murre  18 

Buff;-breas.ted    83 

Scolecopacidae    34 

Plover  94 
Ringless    Plover    95 
Ring-necked      Duck 

Cooper's  73 
Curlew  75 
Green,  80 

Scolopax  66 
rusticolor  66 
Scoter,   136 

132 

Least,  74 

American,   136 

Riparia  260 

Pectoral,   72 

.    Surf,  138 

riparia  260 

Purple,   71 

White-winged, 

Risea   41 

Red-backed.   74 

137 

tridactyla  41 
River   Ducks  123 
Robin,    American, 

Smipealmat'ed,   76 
Solitary,    79 
Spotted,   84 

Scoters,   136 
Black,   136 
Black'  and   White, 

285 

Stilt,  69 

137 

iRock    Ptarmigan 

Western,  77 

White-capped,    138 

s    148 
Roseate 
Spoonbill  98 

White-rumper    72 
Sandpipers, 
Buffv,  83 

Scott's   Sea-side 
Sparrow   214 
Scotiaptrex   171 

Tern  53 
Rose-breasted   Gros- 

Curved-billed,   75 
Dunlin,   74 

cinera  171 
Screech   Owl  173 

beak  235 
Ross's  Gull  47 
Rostrhamus  157 
sociabilis  157 
Rosy 

Fighting,   81 
Highland  82 
Long-legged    69 
Rucidy,  70 

Florida,   173 
Seiuridae  256 
Seiurus 
aurocapillus  256 
moticella  257 

Finches  225 

Sandpipers,    etc. 

noveboracensis    256 

Gulls  47 
Rough-legged 
Hawk,   American, 

68 
Snipe,  68 
Three-  toed,   77 

n.    notabilis  257 
Semipalmated 
Plover  y3 

165 

Tilting,   84 

Sandpiper  93 

Rough-winged 

Semipalmated  76 

Sandpipers  93 

Swallow  262 

Sand   Swallows  262 

Tatlers  93 

Royal  Tern  50 
Rubv-crowned 
Kinglet  280 

Sapsucker,    Yellow- 
bellied,   176 
Sarcorhamphi   154 

Setophaga   255 
ruticilla  255 
Sharp-billed    Warb- 
lers 258 

312 


INDEX. 


Sharp-shinned 

Hawk  162 
Sharp-tailed 

Grouse    149 
Prairie,    149 
Sharp-tailed    Spar- 
row   219 

Arcadian  220 

Nelson's   220 
Shearwater, 

Audubon's,  24 

Cory's,   24 

Greater,  23 

Manx,  24 

Sooty,   24 
Shearwaters  23 
Shore  Birds  59 
Short-billed 

Geese  142 

Grebes  13 

Marsh  Wrens 

276 

-Kails    115 
Short-eared  Owls  IT 
Short-tailed 

Doves  132 

Hawks  165 

Terns  56 
Short-winged 

Hawks  162 
Shoveller  128 
Shrike, 

Loggerhead,   266 

Northern,    266 

.Northern    Loggar- 

head  266 

Shrikes,    Gray,    265 
Sialia  286 

sialis  286 

s.    grata  287 
Silk  Buntings  207 
Single-ringed 

Plover  92 
Singing   Perchers 

192 

Siskin,  Pine,  227 
Siskins  227 
Sitta   277 

canadensis  278 

carolinensis    272 

c.    atkinsi  278 
pusilla  279 
Sittidae  277 
Skimmer,   Black,   58 
Skimmers  58 
Skua  38 
Skuas  37 

Skuas   and   Saegeris 
37 


Sky-lark   192 

Sky-Larks   192 

Slate-colored    Junco 
214 

Slaty  Gallinules  117 

Slender-billed 
Grebes  12 

Small-headed   Fly- 
catcher 287 

Smew  123 

Smews  122 

Snipe, 

European,   69 
Sandpipers  68 
Wilson's  67 

Snipes  66 

Snowbirds    214 

Snow 

Bunting  223 
Buntings     223 
Goose  141 
Goose,    Greater, 
141 

Goose,   Lesser, 
141 

Snowy 
Egret  105 
Owl  174 

Solitary 
Sandpiper  79 
Vireo  269 

Somateria  135 
dresseri  135 
d.   borealis  136 
Songless    Perchers 
186 

Song  Grosbeaks  230 

Sougless   Perchers 
186 

Song   Sparrow  211 

Sooty 

Shearwater   24 
Tern  55 

Southern 
Downy  Wood- 
pecker 178 
Hairy    Woodpeck- 
er 178 
Yellow-throat   253 

'Sparrow, 
Acadian  Sharp- 
tailed  220 
Bachman's  216 
Brewer's  216 
Chipping,    208 
Clay-colored,    207 
Dusky    Seaside, 
215 
Field,   219 


Fisher's    Seaside 

215 

Fox-colored   213 

Golden-crowned 

211 

Grasshopper  217 

Harris's  211 

Heuslow's   217 

Ipswich,   221 

Lark.    222 

Leconte's  212 

Lincoln's  212 

Macgilliway's 

Seaside,  219 

Nelson's  219 

Pine-Woods 

Sparrow   216 

Savanna  220 

Scott's  Seaside 

218 

Seaside,  218 

Sharp^ta^ied,     219 

Song,  211 

Southern  Grass- 
hopper, 217 

Swamp,  212 

Tree,  208 

Western  Field  209 

White-crowned 

210 

White-throated 

210 

Vesper  221 
Sparrow  Hawk 

American,  160 

Cuban,  161 
Sparrows  and 

Finches  207 
Sparrows, 

Arboreal,    207 

Butty,  216 

Bay-winged,    221 

Grass,   220 

Marsh,   218 

Painted,   232 

Prairie;  222 

Kufous   213 

Spng,  211 

SWamp,   212 

Woodland,   216 

Zone-throated 

210 

Spatula  128 
clypeata   128 

Speotyto  174 
hyppgaea  174 
floriclana/,     Adden- 
da 

Sph-yrapicus  176 


INDEX. 


313 


varius  178 
Spine-tailed 

Swifts  184 
Spinus  '227 

pinus  227 
Spizella  207 

breweri  207  • 

monticola.   208 

pallida  209 

p.   arenacca  207 

pusiila  209 

sociaiis  208 
Spiza  207 

americaDa  207 
Spoonbill     Roseate, 

98 

Spoonbills,    Ameri- 
can 98 
Spoonbills  and 

Ibises  98 
Spoon-billed   Ducks 

128 
Spotted 

Crake  116 

Doves  151 

Sandpiper  84 

Thrushes  281 

Warblers  238 
Sprague's  Pipet  258 
Sprig-tailed  Duck 

128 
Spruce 

Grouse  146 

Warblers   241 
Square-tailed    Vul- 
tures 155 
Squatarola  89 

squatarola  89 
Starling  198 
Starlings  198 
Starnoenas  153 

cyanocephala    153 
Steganopodes   27 
Steganopus  60 

tricolor  60 
Stelgidopteryx    261 

serripennis  261 
Stercoharidae  37 
Stercorarius  38 

longicaudus   39 

parasiticus    38 

pomalinus  38 
Sterna  51 

dougalli   53 

forsteri  52 

hlrundo  51 

paridisaea  53 

tradeaui   51 
Sternella  199 


magna  199 

m.   argu  tula  199 

neglecta    200 
Sternidae  198 
Sternula  54 

antillarum   54 
Stiff-tailed    Ducks 

139 
Stilt, 

Black-necked,    63 

Sandpiper  69 

Sandpipers   68 
Stilts  63 
Stints  72 
Stone  Chats  285 
Stone  Chats   and 

Bluebirds    285 
Storm  Petrels  25 
Stormy  Petrel  25 
Storks  110 
Streaked   Bitterns 

101 
Streaked    Warblers 

240 

Strigi   169 
Strigidae  170 
Striped    Bitterns 

101 
Strix  170 

pratincola  170 
Sturnus   198 

vulgaris  198 
Sula  29 

bassana  29 

coryi  30 

cyanops  30 

piscator  30 

sula  30 
Sulidae  29 
Sultana    Gallinules 

118 
Summer  Tanager 

265 

Surf  Scoter   138 
Sumia  173 

caparoch  173 
Swainson's 

Hawk    165 

Warbler  151 
Swallow, 

American  Barn, 

263 

Bahama,   262 

Bank    260 

Cliff,  260 

Cuban  Cliff  261 

Kough-winged, 

261 

White-bellied,    262 
Swallows  259 


Cliff,  260 

Green  and   White 
262 

Long-tailed,     262 
Kough-winged 
261 

Sand,   260 
Tree,    .'?62 
Swallow-tailed 
Kite  150 
Swamp   Sparrow 

Swan, 

Trumpeter,  144 
Whistling,  144 
Whooping,  144 

Swans,    White     143 

Swift,    Chimney, 
184 

Swifts,     Spine-tail- 
ed, 184 

Swimmers, 
JN  ail-billed,    120 
totipalmate,    27 

Sycamore   Warbler, 
236 

Sylvidae,  278 

Sylviocantor,    238 
pennsylvanica 
240 

Symphemia  80 
semipalmata   80 

Synthiboramplius 
antiquas  21 

Syrnium  170 
nebulosum  170 
n.  alleni  170 

Tanager, 

Louisiana,    265 
scarlet,  265 
summer,  265 

Tanagers,   Toottt- 

billed  264 

Tanagridae  264 

Tantalidae  110 

Tantalus  110 
loculata  110 

Tatlers,    78 
Freshwater,     79 
Semipalmated,    80 

Teal. 

Blue-winged,     127 
Cinnamon,   128 
European,  127 
Green- winged, 
126 

Teals,    Little,   126 

Telmatodytes    275 
palustris  275 


314 


INDEX. 


p.  griseus  275 

Olive-backed,    283 

Troglodytes  274 

p.    marinae  275 

Red-winged,   284 

aedon  274 

p.    thryophilus 

Water,    236 

a.    parkniani   274 

27(5 

Wilson's,  283 

Troglodytidae    273 

Tennesse    Warbler 

Wood,    281 

Tropic    Bird, 

249 

Varied,   285 

Kea-  billed,   28 

Tern, 

Thrushes    281-284 

Yellow-billed,    28 

American  Black, 

Spotted  281 

Tropic  Birds,  27 

56 

Wagtail  256 

Long-tailed,   28 

Arctic,    53 

Western  285 

Troupial    200 

Bridled,   55 

Thryomaues  273 

Troupials    200 

Cabot's   51 

bewickii  274 

Trudeau's   Tern  51 

Caspian,  50 
Common,   51 

Thryothor'us    273 
ludovicianua   273 

True  Rails  113 
Woodpeckers   170 

Foster's  52 

1.    miameusis  273 

Trumpeter  Swan 

Gull-billed,   49 

Tilting    Sandpipers 

144 

.Least,    54 

84 

Tryngites  83 

Noddy,   57 

Tinnunculus   160 

,,subruncollis   83 

Koseate.   53 

domenicensis    161 

Tube-nosed    Swim- 

Royal,   50 

sparverius    160 

mers    21 

Sooty,    55 

tinnunculus   161 

Tubinares   21 

Trudeau's  51 

Titmice  196-197 

Tufted   Puffin  20 

White-winged 

Titmouse,   Tufted, 

Turdidae   281 

Black,  57 

197 

Turdus   280 

Terns,  48 

Tooth-billed 

iliacus  280 

Crested,   50 

Merganser  120 

Turkey 

Dusky-backed,    55 

Tanager  204 

Florida,    150 

Giant,  49 

Totanus  78 

Vulture   154 

Gull    49 

flavipes    78 

Wild  150 

JLittle,    54 

rnelanoleucus    78 

Turnstone  96 

Pale-backed,      51 

nebularius     79 

Turnstones  95-96 

Short-tailed,     56 

Totipalmate    Swim- 

Tympanuchns  149 

Terracantor  245 

mers  27 

americanus  149 

hypochrysea   245 
palmarum    245 

Towhesf, 
Arctic,    214 

cupido  149 
Tyrannidae  186 

Tetronidae  146 

Florida,   214 

Tyrannus    187 

Thalaissogeron   22 
culminatus  22 

Ked-eyed,    213 
Townsend's    Warb- 

dominicensis   188 
tyrannus   187 

Thalassius  49 

ler    243 

verticals    188 

caspia  50 

Toxostoma   271 

Tyrant    Flycatchers 

Thick-billed    Grebes 

rufum,  273 

186 

13 

Thicket    Warblers 

Traill's    Flycatcher 
191 

Unspotted 
Thrushes  285 

251 

Tree 

Uria  17 

Thasher,   Brown, 
273 

Ducks   143 
Orioles  201 

lomvia  18" 
ringvia   18 

Thrashers    271 

Sparrow  208 
Swallows    262 

troie  18 
Urinatorides   14 

Three-toed 

Tri-colored    Wood- 

Vanellus   89 

Sandpipers   77 
Woodpeckers    179 

peckers  177 
Orioles    201 

vanellus   89 
Varied 

Thrush, 

Tringa    70 

Bunting  233 

Bicknell's   283 

canutus    70 

Thrush   285 

Grey-cheeked,    288 

Tringidae    68 

Velvet  Scoter  138 

Hermit,   282 
Louisana    Water, 

ocrr 

Trochli  184 
Trochilidae  185 

Vesper  Sparrow 
221 

£n)  ( 

Newfoundland, 
2*4 

Troehilus    185 
colubris   185 

Vireo, 
Bell's  270 

INDEX. 


315 


Black-whiskered 

Blackburnean, 

Blue,  236 

267 

242 

Butty,    250 

Key  West,  270 

BLack-poHed,.    240 

Bush,  239 

Mountain    267 

Black-throated 

Creeping,   235 

Philadelphia,     268 
Plumbeous   269 

Blue,    236 
Black-throated 

Field,    243 
Flycatching,   253 

Red-eyed,    267 

Green,  242 

Golden,   246 

Solitary,   269 

Blue   Mountain, 

Green,  242 

Warbling    268 

287 

Ground  245 

White-eyed  269 
Yellow-throated 

Blue-winged,   248 
Blue    Yellow-back 

Honey,    237 
Long-billed,    235 

268 

247 

Warblers, 

Vireo 

Brewster's,     24j8 

Long-winged,    251 

noveboracensis 

Canadian,    254 

Little,    247 

269 
maynardi  270 

Cape    May,    238 
Carbonated,  287 

Orange,  250 
Painted,   254 

Vireocantor   242 

Cam's,    236 

Plain  251 

townseudi   243 

Caeruiikanj,     2391    ' 

Scrub,   246 

virens  242 

Chestnut-sided, 

Spotted,    238 

Vireos,    267 

240 

Spruce,   241 

Banded,   268 
Little,   269 
Wood,    267 
Vireosylva   267 
barbatula  267 

Cincinnati,   251 
Connecticut,    251 
Florida   Pine,  244 
Golden-winged, 
248 

Sharp-billed,    248 
Streaked,  240 
Thicket,   251 
Wood,   237 
Warbling    Vireo, 

gilva  268 
olivacea  267 
Philadelphia   267 
Vironidae   207 
Virginia  Rail  114 
Vulture, 
Black,    155 

Hooded,  253 
Kentuckey,   251 
Kirtland's  243 
Lawrence's  248 
Mourning,  252 
JNashville,   249 
JNorthern  Blue 

268 
Ward's    Heron,    104 
Water  Thrush,  256 
Grinnell,    256 
Louisiana,  257 
Waxwing, 
Bohemian,    264 

Eagles  168 
Turkey,  154 
Vultures, 

Yellow-back,    247 
Orange-crowned, 
249 

Cedar,   263 
Wax  wings    263 
Wedge-tailed    Pet- 

Amercan,  154 
Dusky,    154 

Pine,   244 
Prairie,    246 

rels  25 
Welch's    Ptarmigan 

.Naked-breasted, 

Prothonatary,    250 

149 

154 
Square-tailed,     155 

Red-poll,  245 
Swainson's  251 

Blue    Yellow-back 

Wagtail,    White. 

258 

Sycamore,    236 
Tennesee,    249 

247 
Field  Sparrow 

Wagtails,    258 
Wag-tails,    Wood, 
256 

Townsend's  243 
Western   Blue 
Yellow-back     247 

209 
Horned  Owl  172 
Meadow   Lark 

Wag-tails  and  Pip- 
ets  257 
W"aders,\    JN3|il-bill- 
ed,   144 

Wilson's   254 
Worm-eating,     250 
Yellow,  246 
Yellow    Red-poll, 

200 
Red-tail   164 
Sandpiper   77 
Thrushes  285 
Whippoorwill   182 

Warbler, 
Audubon's,    237 
Bachman's,     249 
Bav-breaster,     241 

Y  ellow-rumped, 
237 
Yellow-throated, 
235 

Whippoorwills    182 
W7himbrel  87 
Winter  Wren  275 
Whistling  Swan 

1     *    A 

Black  and   White, 

Warblers  279 

144 

235 

American.  234 

White 

Black  and  Yellow 

Ashy,   252 

Eagles  167 

238 

Azure,  238 

Geese  140 

316 


INDEX. 


Gyrfalcon  158 

Narrow-quilled, 

Western  House, 

Heron   104 

65 

274 

ibis  99 

Woodcocks  and 

Winter,    275 

Pelican   31 

Snipes  66 

Worthington's 

Swan   142 

Wood 

Marsh,  276 

Wagtail   170 

Ducks  129 

Wrens     273 

White-bellied 

Grouse    146 

House,  274 

Nuthatch  277 

Ibis   110 

Little,    275 

Swallows  262 

Ibises   110 

Long-tailed 

White-capped 

Pewee  189 

Marsh,  275 

Scoter  138 

Thrush  170 

Meadow,    275 

White-crowned 

Vireos  267 

Mocking,  273 

Sparrow  210 

Wagtails   256 

Wurdemann's 

White-eyed   Vireo 

Warblers  237 

Heron,  107 

269 

Woodpecker, 

Xanthocephalus 

White-faced    Glossy 

American    Three- 

202 

ibis  100 

toed,  179 

xanthocephalus 

White-fronted 

Arctic   Three- 

202 

Goose   141 

toed    179 

Xema  48 

White-rumped 

Cockaded,   179 

sabina  48 

Sandpiper  72 
White-tailed  KJta 

Downy,   178 
Hairy,   178 

Yellow-bellied 
Flycatcher    192 

157 

White-tailed  Kites 

Ivory-billed,    180,. 
Northern  Hairy, 

Sapsucker,    176 
Yellow-billed 

157 

178 

Albatrosses  22 

White-thraoted 

Northern    Pileat- 

Cuckoo   175 

Sparrow  210 

ed,  180 

Tropic    Bird   28 

White-winged 

Pileated,    180 

Yellow-breasted 

Black   Tern   57 

Keel-bellied,    177 

chat,  255 

Crossbill    229 

Ked-headed,     177 

Yellow-crowned 

Scoter  137 

Southern    Downy. 

Night    Heron,    109 

Whooping    Crane 

178 

Yellow-headed 

112 

Southern  Hairy, 

Blackbird   102 

WMe-mouthed 

178 

Blackbirds    102 

Hawks  166 

Woodpeckers,    176 

Yellow    legs, 

Widgeon    126 

Banded,   177 

Greater,   79 

Widgeons    125 

Black,   180 

Lesser,  79 

Wild  Turkey  150 

Black   and   White, 

Yellows-nosed   (Air 

Willet  80 

178 

batross  22 

Willow    Ptarmig- 

Mottled,    176 

Yellow 

nam   148 

Scarlet-crested 

Kail  116 

Wilsonia    253 
canadensis  254 
minuta  287 
initrata   254 

180 
Three-toed,    179 
Tri-colored    177 
True,   176 

Kedpoll  245 
Warbler  246 
Yellow-ruinped 
Warbler  237 

pusillus  254 
Wilson's 

Worm-eating 
Warbler  250 

Xellow-throated 
Warbler    235 

Thrush,   283 
Petral  26 
Phalarope  60 
Plover  95 
Winter  Wren  275 
Woodcock 

Wren, 
Bewick's,    274 
Carolina,    273 
Florida,  273 
House,  274 
Long-billed 
Marsh     276 

Vireo    268 
Yellow-throat, 
Maryland,    253 
Northern     253 
Southern,    253 
Yellow-    throats, 
252 

American,    65 
European,   66 

Loisanna    Marsh 
276 

Yphantes   201 
galbula   201 

Woodcocks 

Marian's    Marsh 

Zaelodia    230 

Broad-quilled,    C6 

276 

ludoviciana   230 

INDEX.  317 

melanocephala  231        macroura   151  albicollis    210 

Zanaida  152  Zone-throated    Spar-  coronata    211 

zanaida    152  rows  210  querula   211 

Zanaida   Dove   152        Zonotrachia  210  leucophrys   211 
Zenaidura    151 


ADDENDA  including  CORRECTIONS. 

Page  22,  after  Yellow-billed  Albatrosses,  for  Thal- 
aissogeron  read  Thalassogeron. 

Page  33,  after  DOUBLE-CRESTED  CORMORANT,  for  D 
read  P. 

Pago  40,  after  Ice  Gulls,  for  Gavia  read  Pagophila, 
and  oext  line  below  after  IVORY  GULL  for  G.  read  P.  . 

Page  48,  Fig.  57,  insert  IT  before  the   ,. 

Page  58.  after  BLACK  SKIMMER,  for  XIGAR  read  NIGH  A. 

Page  60,  Fig.  75.  for  b  read  a. 

Page  (14,  Fio-.  83,  for  b  read  c. 

Page  64,  after  WOODCOCKS  AIS1D  SNIPES,  for 
Scolec*opac'idae;  read  Scolopacidae. 

Page  ()(>,  for  Fig.  58,  read  Fig.  85,  and  for  b  read  a. 

Page  69,  after  Long-legged  Sand-pipers,  for  Mi- 
cropalma,  read  Micropalama. 

Page  70,  Fig.  89,  for  B  read  D. 

Page  71,  Fig.  90,    "     "     "       ". 

Page  73,  Fig.  91,  insert  e  between  D  and  2. 

Page  79,  Fig.  94,  for  f  read  j. 

Page  89,  near  center,  for  C  read   E. 

Page  91,  insert  AMERICAN  between  1  and  GOLDEN. 

Page  94,  after  BELTED  PIPING  PLOVER,  for  CIRCUM- 
CIXTA,  read  <  IKCUMCJNCTA. 

Page  174,  after  description  of  Burrowing  Owl  add, 

1*  FLORIDA  BURROWING  OWL,  S.  if.  FI.O.BIDANA. 
Differs  from  1  in  being  nearly  pure  white  below  and  the  spot- 
tings  above  are  white.  Resident  in  Fla. 

Page  188,  under  Crested  Flycatcher,  2d  line,  for,  Breeds 
through  eastern  U.  S.  north  into  southern  Canada,  read, 
Breeds  in  Fla. 

Page  188  below  description  of  Crested  Flycatcher  add, 

1*  NORTHERN  CRESTED  FLYCATCHER,  M.  c.  BO- 
iiEUS.  Similar  to  1  but  differs  in  being  generally  paler  and 
in  having  a  smaller,  less  strongly  curved  bill.  Breeds  in 
eastern  IT.  S.  from  Fla.  north  into  southern  Canada. 


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50m-7,'16 


uji.  i  o  u  K  v  *  y 

birds  -of  eastern  North 
America  — 


M3 

BIOLOGY 


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UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 


